Islamabad through
my eyes!
Patricia Omedian- The Anthropologist
“I have been travelling to Pakistan since 1988. Although my arrival terminal is always in Islamabad but I’ve lived here for just 2 years. It’s a hybrid city and I am one of those who has seen the radical changes that it went through. From what I’ve observed, it’s a safety icon for foreigners but almost a mental health service to people from all over the Pakistan. I must say it’s a treat with all these green boundaries and the remarkable weather. This clean and green environment is what the other big cities are missing out on. So, it’s a big plus for Islamabad. I personally feel that it’s a city closer to nature; a city which actually has access to the serene nature and I love to hike here.
Oh! one more thing; this is the only city of Pakistan where people actually follow the traffic rules and believe me it’s admirable’’ (Sector H- 12, NUST)
Zikrullah Khan- the potato fries’ vendor
There were not much working opportunities back in Afghanistan so my father sent me and my brother here. I was 9 and used to sell newspaper in Abpara Market for 6 years. I wanted to upgrade myself but every step seemed pricy. I have no education so it had to be some skill but that did not go as I planned. One day upon my random walks in these streets, I came across this fries’ vendor in F7 who had a crowd of college students around him and it clicked me. This does not require any skill but definitely a startup money. I went up to him and ask for startup guidelines and he was kind enough to direct me. My brother and I have had a stable business for 14 years now. I stand here in the ‘Gol Market’ as they call it while my brother stands on the front of Jinnah Super Market. Although, there is Mc Donald’s and many such places with fries nearby but even the people with big cars stop by to have my fries with chutney. I have had my vending stall in G6, F8, G9, G10 and here in F7. This is my favorite spot because I have seen very different people here. Different in terms of class and nationality as well. I have heard people calling this sector as the ‘’Heart OF Islamabad’’. I agree because this sector has a lot to contribute to Islamabad as a city.
Madiha Inaam
My hometown is Mardan but I have been in Islamabad since college. It is different at a drastic level from Mardan in terms of people, places, roads, food everything. I knew that it was going to be a totally different experience from my city but, I think I adjusted just fine. I did not have to put in that much of efforts as I thought I would have to. Language was not the biggest barrier because I found so many of my culture here. I have to say Islamabad has half of its community of Pathans. I could easily spot pakhtoun people almost everywhere I used to go and you know you have the feeling of reassurance that you are not alone here.
This city has never made me feel like I’m different because Islamabad has roots full of diversity itself so its in the nature of this city to embrace all. My food of Mardan and pakhtoun culture was what I used to miss the most. There was no place here which served meat the way my people do. But, with in last 3 4 years, even that is not a problem anymore. There are proper pakhtoun cuisines here and finally I have everything which I used to miss.
Riaz Ahmed- the cricket coach
‘’ I see cricket as a gift to mankind because it is just so much more than just a sport. It’s been 18 years that I have been coaching teenagers in Islamabad. I do this, every evening all week and these children come here regularly because of their passion of this sport. Every street of our country has a cricket lover somewhere. But, Islamabad did not have that many great opportunities back in my days. I cannot recall a proper cricket ground when I had to practice running and balling session. Street was my only pitch. With the establishment of this cricket club, I have seen progress in my field. Youngsters have their tournaments here; the balling court enhances their skills and the grass of the proper ground helps them in their field precisions. They are thrilled to have me as their coach because of my experience. I’m not making this up but you know that a coach is only as good as his team. I want to be remembered as a man who used to make a difference in the lives of today’s generation through cricket.’’ (Cricket Club, Sector F6)
Maqsood Ahmed
I have served the Pakistan Army for 38 years and travelled almost all over the country. There was no Islamabad and Karachi was still the capital in 1962. We used to hear news over the radio signals in our posted camps about the new capital being made as Islamabad. I didn’t think this was a good decision because Karachi was the hub and our country was prospering. But then war happened of 65 and later we lost a dear piece of Pakistan in 71 and things had changed with in these years. We needed a capital that would could be called as ‘safe’ enough to call the foreigners or ‘presentably clean’ enough to invite over the presidents of other countries and Islamabad proved itself to be a good enough capital for all of this. I visited it in 1989 for the first time and I was impressed even at that time. The location with beautiful mountains surrounding it the weather and the constructions going on at that time was impressive. It has improved over time and I have been fond of the city.
It was indeed a good decision to make Islamabad the capital!
Abida Aslam
After the death of my husband, I had to suddenly move back to Pakistan. Although I lived in Lahore all my life but, Islamabad seemed a safer option. Islamabad had the impression of security and an opportunity to give a better lifestyle to my children. It was 1999 back then and the city had much more greenery. I have seen Islamabad evolving into more than just a capital. It has created facilities, improved its impression and enhanced its beauty with the construction of diverse places.
I think the people living here are welcoming. It’s okay to shop with a Somalian in the Centaurus or to dine in with some Chinese couple at Wang Fu or even walk on the pavements of F9 mark with a Malayan girl jogging beside you. Not only the city but the behavior and acceptance of the people living here reassured my decision of moving here.
Arslan Ellahi
I cannot say that I have seen Islamabad change as some people might have mentioned. Because I have seen it the way it is now but yes, the options have increased for about everything. From job opportunities to food cuisines and shopping areas. The living standard is quite raised as compared to other cities so this improved quality of life gives us an edge. I think all of us have played a part in making Islamabad what it is today. I work in a multi-national company where I communicate with clients across the globe. So, I get to experience diversity over Skype. But, also, when I leave for home I come across some level of diversity on the roads as well. Islamabad is becoming a city where you can come across people from a lot of countries and they all seem happy here so I think we have given them a comfortable and accepting environment. Everyone though has different languages but the illiterate shop keeper manages to understand the grocery list. Even the corn man manages to do so. It all about the nature of acceptance and I think everyone here has it. One more thing, the Karachities have their accent, Lahoris have theirs’ but I am so glad Islamabad is accent free yet. That is one major thing to be proud of!
