Markets and Malls in Islamabad
A guide to shopping in Islamabad: sector markets like Jinnah Super and Super Market, Aabpara, the big malls, weekly bazaars, crafts and bargains.
Islamabad Sectors Explained: A Guide to the City’s Grid
How Islamabad’s sector system works: what the letters and numbers mean, the character of E, F, G, H and I sectors, markazes, Blue Area and how addresses work.
Key takeaways
- Islamabad is divided into lettered, numbered sectors, each split into four sub-sectors with a central market, or markaz.
- E and F sectors sit closest to the Margalla Hills; G sectors are mixed; H is largely institutional; I is mainly industrial.
- An address such as F-7/2 means sector F-7, sub-sector 2.
On this page
Islamabad is one of the few capitals in the world designed from scratch, and its grid of lettered sectors can be confusing at first. Once you understand the logic, though, finding your way around becomes easy.
A planned capital
In the late 1950s, Pakistan decided to build a new capital near Rawalpindi, at the foot of the Margalla Hills. The master plan was drawn up by the Greek planner Constantinos Doxiadis and his firm, and construction began in the early 1960s.
Doxiadis designed the city as a grid of self-contained neighbourhoods, called sectors, separated by green belts and wide avenues. The idea was that each sector would have its own homes, schools, shops, mosques and parks within walking distance.
How the sector names work
Each sector has a letter and a number, such as F-7 or G-9.
- Letters run in bands roughly parallel to the Margalla Hills. D and E are nearest the hills, then F, G, H and I further south.
- Numbers increase from east to west. F-6 is east of F-7, which is east of F-8, and so on.
- Sub-sectors. Each sector is divided into four sub-sectors, numbered 1 to 4. F-7/2 means sector F-7, sub-sector 2.
A typical address reads: House 12, Street 5, F-7/2, Islamabad.
The character of each band
| Band | Character | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| D | Newer development near the hills | D-12 |
| E | Upscale residential, near the hills | E-7, E-11 |
| F | Established, sought-after residential areas | F-6, F-7, F-8, F-10, F-11 |
| G | Mixed residential, including government housing, and busy markets | G-6, G-9, G-10, G-11, G-13 |
| H | Largely institutional: universities, hospitals, graveyards | H-8, H-9, H-12 |
| I | Mainly industrial areas, with some housing | I-8, I-9, I-10 |
This is a generalisation. Every sector has its own mix, and newer areas keep changing.
The markaz: every sector’s centre
At the heart of each sector is a markaz, a commercial centre with shops, restaurants, banks and offices. Some are better known by their own names:
- Super Market is the F-6 markaz.
- Jinnah Super is the F-7 markaz.
- Aabpara Market and Melody Market serve G-6.
Smaller neighbourhood shopping areas sit inside each sub-sector.
Blue Area and the government districts
Blue Area is Islamabad’s central business district, a long strip of offices, banks and hotels along Jinnah Avenue between the F and G sectors. Towards the east are the main government buildings, and the Diplomatic Enclave, home to many embassies.
Beyond the original grid
As the city grew, private housing schemes developed outside the original sectors, particularly along the Islamabad Expressway and towards the airport. If you are buying or renting in a private scheme, check its approval status first: the CDA publishes information on approved and unauthorised housing schemes.
Tips for newcomers
- Learn your sector and sub-sector: taxi drivers, delivery riders and ride-hailing apps rely on them.
- Use the markaz as a landmark: “near Jinnah Super” is often clearer than a street number.
- Expect traffic on the main avenues at rush hour, especially around Blue Area and the Expressway.
Once you know your way around, our guide to the best things to do in Islamabad is a good next step.
Frequently asked questions
Which sector is best to live in?
It depends on budget and lifestyle. F and E sectors near the hills are popular and expensive; G sectors offer more varied prices and busy markets; newer sectors and private schemes often offer more space for the money. If you’re also weighing the twin city, compare Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
What does “markaz” mean?
Markaz means “centre”. In Islamabad it refers to the central commercial area of each sector.
Why are there no A, B or C sectors on most maps?
The original plan included more zones than were fully developed as residential sectors. Most day-to-day life happens in the D to I bands.
Sources
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