Blue Area Islamabad Walking Tour (Self Guided), Islamabad

Prime Minister's Secretariat is rightfully considered to be one of the most beautiful structures in Islamabad. Its small towers, domed turrets and arched windows make the building look like a fairy tale castle. It is designed in pale pink and white colors, emphasizing subtlety and ethereality. In the evenings, when the lights are on, this building looks truly magical.

The Supreme Court building is located on the Constitution Avenue. It represents a fine example of modern architecture, brought to life by a famous Japanese firm, M/S Kenzo Tange Associates. The structure features plain and pure lines, creating the impression of volume and mobility. A wide staircase leads to the building entrance. Note that tourists are not allowed inside, as well as no one without a special permit can come too close to the building.

The Parliament House is a long square building, which is the home of the federal and supreme legislative body of Pakistan. The architecture of the building is rather modest, consisting of simple elements, emphasizing the plain lines. Recently an Urdu engraving has been installed on the front façade of the building. Just like the Supreme Court, a tight security circle surrounds the Parliament House, so the building can be observed only from aside.

The President House or Aiwan-e-Sadr is the official residence and office of the President of Pakistan. The first President to reside there was Ghulam Ishaq Khan, beginning with 1988. Aiwan-e-Sadr is located on Constitution Avenue between the Parliament House and the Prime Minister's Secretariat. From the architectural point of view the building represents a modern step pyramid, designed in white tones, as most of government buildings in Islamabad. It is known that the interior of this building creates a striking contrast with its exterior. The interior is adorned with gold and velvet, moldings and carvings, and luxurious furnishing. However visitors are not allowed inside.

The National Art Gallery in Islamabad is the first such gallery in the country. It is located on a small hill opposite the Parliament House and the Aiwan-e-Sadr. The design chosen for this facility was obtained through a nation-wide contest in 1989 and it belongs to architects Suhail Abbasi and Naeem Pasha. Their model represents a modernistic brick cube characterized by Miesian functionality. The Gallery opened to the public on 26 August 2007. This four-story building has 14 galleries with adjoining display areas, lecture halls, workshop rooms, laboratories, a library, and indoor and open-air theaters.

Oil and Gas Development Company (abbreviated OGDCL) is based in an impressive building on Jinnah Avenue. The structure represents four grouped towers, standing back to back. It consists of cream-colored slabs and a water wave colored windows on the top of each tower. The vertically placed plates of the skyscraper façade visually lengthen the building making it look taller than it is.

The Saudi-Pak Tower is a 19 floor office building. Over a dozen international companies are operating here, including European, Chinese and Middle Eastern Companies, and American TV channels. The building, designed by Nayyar Ali Dada, serves as a local landmark standing out with its odd, almost windowless, solid exterior. It is colored in beige and adorned with blue tile work in Islamic style. The Saudi-Pak Tower is among the tallest and most secure buildings in Islamabad.

The Islamabad Stock Exchange Towers (also known as ISE Towers) is a 19 floor office building that was completed in 2009. It is the second tallest high-rise in the city. There are three additional levels underground with parking capacity of 300 cars at a time. The ground floor was allocated for banks. Unlike many buildings in Islamabad, the ISE Towers have a fire suppression system. This is also the first building in the city to have an LCD display attached on it. The Islamabad Stock Exchange is the first one in Pakistan without a trading floor. All trade will be done through an electronic trading platform.