Islamabad — A City of Names, a City of Memories

 

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan. The city has been systematically divided into different sectors:

E for Excellent / Excellence,

F for Fair / Fresh,

G for General / Government,

and I for Industrial / Investment.

The names of Islamabad have been chosen with great foresight, affection, and sensitivity. Those who planned and built this city did not merely construct roads and buildings; they lovingly named places in a way that reflects nature, beauty, and meaning. Each name stands as a unique example in itself.

Daman-e-Koh—meaning the foothills of the mountain.

Aabpara—a drop of water.

Shakarparian—a lump of sugar.

Zero Point—the place where all four main roads of Islamabad meet.

Jasmine Garden—the garden of jasmine.

On both sides of the road, jasmine plants once bloomed. White and yellow jasmine filled the air with a soft, delicate fragrance at night, perfuming the entire surroundings. My father loved this place so much that he named his daughter Yasmin. We were often taken here for outings during our childhood, and the memory of that gentle fragrance still lives on.

Blue Area—the blue sky.

It is the commercial hub of Islamabad. There was a time when this area was full of life and vibrancy, but that liveliness has faded now.

On 14th August, my father would take us to see the decorative lights. Young men would park their cars and dance with joy, celebrating freely and happily. Today, however, everyone seems burdened by worries.

There used to be a difference of ten degrees in temperature between Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Now the city has expanded; traditions and customs have changed. Faces have changed, styles have changed. People now own big cars, but happiness has vanished from their faces.

Welcome to change—

yet the heart still longs for that old, simple, fragrant Islamabad.

Roma Mahmood

Islamabad

25 December 2025