I reckon Islamabad is better choice than any other city in Pakistan. indeed Karachi would have been automatic choice keeping in view the financial capital and its historic importance, but it is vulnerable to surprise attack, because the Indian naval presence is concentrated near to Karachi. Pakistan strategic location is such it lack strategic depth in its territory, and all the cities are located near the border like Karachi/Lahore, and if a capital is situated near border it would have been vulnerable to attack as well, moreover as we lack strategic depth in our territory an effort to built capital in the middle or center of the country would have given edge to the enemy. not only in the Capital all the administrative machinery sit but it has very symbolic value by destroying capital the enemy can have psychological edge that they have destroyed the capital, it can lower the morale of the country and populace. so i reckon Islamabad which is covered by the lofty mountains, near to the militarily headquarters appear to be better however not ideal, i don't see other option by going along with Islamabad,

pick any city from southern punjab and it will be equally accessible from all parts of the country. e.g Multan, Bahawalpur, D.G Khan all make perfect candidates for the capital of pakistan. All three have their unique cultural heritage, and have room to be developed in to a 21st century modern capital city.

Pindi. It is the real capital anyways.

Interesting question. The great capitals of the world are historic cities like London, Paris and Berlin to mention a few. The capital need to capture and reflect the soul of the nation and I think Lahore indeed will do that for me. To look at the practicle side, Multan will be a good contender. Some my ask why, centeral location and some history ro show for.

Multan. Right in the middle of the country. Defended from India by thousands of miles of barren and sandy deserts too that would trap tanks. Strong cultural legacy too.

Make it capital when Islamabad will be capital of a country called Baluchastan...!

Hmmm Dera Ghazi Khan? It at the center of the country and is the meeting point of all 4 provinces and is directly connected by road with all, its western portion is mountainous, eastern part is plains, indus runs through it, gets rain from monsoon and western depression, has all kinds of seasons(western most part having relatively cold weather). So it pretty much has every thing, except that its not much developed but even Islamabad wasn't developed before it became the capital.

Karachi. It's the main GDP generator of Pakistan and includes representation of almost every ethnicity in Pakistan - it should have more say in administrative matters.

Looking at the way things are going, Waziristan looks to be a promising bet in future

what a nonsense?

Quetta....Because strategically we need a stronger balochistan which means a stronger Pakistan...so people of balochistan belives that theyare not alone

Islamabad needs to be built, not changed.

Most of punjab and sindh is too hot. Peshawar and Quetta are too close to Afghanistan and alot of FATA and KPK is mountainous and Balochistan is mostly desert. I think Swabi would make most sense. Its green and is surrounded by rivers and the topography is flat which makes development easy. Another alternative would be nearby aripur which is moatly home to military industrial units.

the reason Islamabad was made capital was because Ayub Khan wanted capital near military headquarter...3 martial law

I think we should just wait and watch, Taliban will decide themselves once they starting ruling Pakistan and that with the help of Nawaz-Imran duo!

Lahore definitely is developed economically and in terms of infra structure. It does have an important history and one of the most important historical monuments. It is the second largest city, fairly secure, a big business hub, good transport system and home to military and airforce, It would not hurt to consider Lahore among the options.

I will suggest that Pakistan buy/or ask USA to give few hundred square miles in order to develop the country capital over there. Now a days companies from Pakistan having their board meeting in South America such as Fauji Fertizlier Company, Hub Co and many more. For some pretext or other. or else they request Bangladesh to lease Pakistan some area because having capital was their right first. By this way we will compensate some of atrocities being faced by them. Go that way a Muslim ruler shifted his capital from one city to other and thousand of people died due to his blunder. I believe that history repeat it self and that's what you wanted to do now. Please do not live in the fool palaces. One of the reason the other part of the country part away for this reason. Why do'nt we move further and always to go back square and doing things again again.

Dubai.That's where most of the leading politicians live anyway.

Dawn really is struggling for ideas nowadays! Is this the best Dawn can come up with? First junk blog going overboard for one of Afridi's interview, then idiotic blogs and articles on protecting Bilawal and PPP's handling of Thar, and now trying to find a new capital for Pakistan! Seriously?

The capital must be moved to Waziristan for dramatic change of that region , this will also solve the terrorism issue by injecting development in that region and increasing security of that area Think different!

really ? .. we are going to put our energy on this sort of questions. Country is facing challenges after challenges and we are worry about what is our next capital. How about putting our energy on - what steps put forth to unit Pakistan. - How to harness Pakistan youth energy towards building a better Pakistan. - How about learn to respect other person freedom./values

On quota system any place in Punjab could be best place, on merit Karachi is the best choice, right, when people need money to run Pakistan Karachi is mini Pakistan afterwards show middle finger to Karachi. The reason for moving capital from Karachi was purely on ethnic bias, even if we assume the absurd reason of a safe capital the question people should ask how safe is Pakistan now after 50 years ?

Make Waziristan capital of both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

I believe that Islamabad at that time was not a suitable choice for various reasons. Firstly, all the business capital was invested in urban areas like Karachi and Lahore and shifting the state's capital away from these cities was not a prudent decision. Secondly, Islamabad is custom built and it required considerable finances to be built. Hence, it can be argued that this money could have been invested in education or in East Pakistan's jute sector which lacked basic facilities or in any other field that awaited assistance. Furthermore, Islamabad is also on the fault line and does lie in danger zone which makes it vulnerable to earthquakes, thus making it a jerky choice. Besides, had Karachi been sustained as the capital of the state, we may not have even entered the perilous situation the denizens of the city currently find themselves in.

Islamabad is best choice. No other Pakistani city can emulate it with best facilities and approach. Who would go to Multan in Summer.....;where heat, dust and beggars rule. Foreigners take envy seeing such beautiful city in poor Pakistan.

New delhi

No need to change capital, like it or not let it be. Don't waste millions or perhaps billions of rupees for unnecessary expenses, rather spent this money on well being of People of Pakistan. For herald fingers crossed.

We need to think about future, move the capital to North East part of Baluchistan. It should border Sindh on East, Punjab on North East, KPK on North and Baluchistan on the South West and South sides. This will bring the much needed development and progress to the vastly unpopulated and undeveloped Baluchistan. Please remember that Baluchistan is 33% area of Pakistan and this will be an opportunity to bring Baluchistan in the fold of main stream Pakistan.

We should find solutions of other vital issues ( Law and order, Energy, Health, Poverty and water etc) than looking for alternate capital ? Futile discussion? May be some vested interest involved here?

Islamabad is a city that has potential to grow huge. It shows a better side of our country, peace, beauty and development. Islamabad is a symbol of harmony between multi ethnic society that we are and this is something any other city of Pakistan is deprived of, Lahore is for punjabi as Karachi is for Sindhis but Islamabad is for Pakistanis.

Islamabad is a city that has potential to grow huge. It shows a better side of our country, peace, beauty and development. Islamabad is a symbol of harmony between multi ethnic society that we are and this is something any other city of Pakistan is deprived of, Lahore is for punjabi as Karachi is for Sindhis but Islamabad is for Pakistanis.

For the Afghan kings, Peshawar was the winter capital and Bala-hisar its seat. For the Mughals, Lahore was their capital with Lahore Fort its residence. Considering the history, median of old capitals becomes Islamabad. Very well thought planned, coincidentally though.

Karachi needs to be the capital of Pakistan again. The city is the economic hub of Pakistan, generates more than half of the national GDP and gets very little investment in return. The result is the present day chaos in the metropolis. Karachi is also the only city in the country with representation from every province and is considered a melting pot for sindhi, punjabi, baloch, pathan, muhajir, seraiki, hindko, gilgiti, hazara cultures. Therefore, in order to promote national harmony and invest in this great city that provides livelihood to all Karachi needs to be the federal capital just like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, London, Paris, etc. The federal govt needs to shoulder the burden of Karachi. It is too big of a city for a relatively smaller province. Its an underfunded city especially when compared to Lahore and Islamabad and yet it continues to go on & on. The city is home to all ethnicities hence the point of ignoring any province is also countered. About the threat from India, I believe its a vague historical connotation since India is in no mood to attack Pakistan unless provoked & given our nuclear deterrent it wont attack even if provoked. therefore we need to get out of our delusional security assessments and give the city & the country what it deserves. A rightful mega-city and Federal Capital of Pakistan.

Waziristan. This way we will be able to get our land back. Moreover, shifting the capital there would pave the way for development in that area and then maybe the people of those areas will also become modern. Aik deewanay ka khawab.

Washington Dc, our policies and capital to keep the country running come from there.

What do you expect as an answer: everyone is presenting their city/town/village as an alternative. Islamabad is a wonderful capital. Instead of shifting it we should instead build the rest of the country.

After living in Quetta and Karachi, when I visit Isloo, it feels good that there isn't any visa requirement so far for Pakistani passport holder visiting this part of the world called Islamabad !

We don't need another capital; we need people who can run the capital.

Islamabad is beautiful, it has lovely weather, too; You have spring and autumn and rainy season plus winter. It is not like one long summer and no spring as it is in Karachi. Islamabad has alot of greenery that Karachi didn't and, still doesn't have; it also has a beautiful weekend-resort Murree nearby. Even diplomats love this place as compared to the last capital's humid and polluted air. Besides, water is cleaner, and healthier for health. Fresh vegetables and fruits come fresh from nearby places. Being covered with mountains on one side makes it is difficult for enemy planes to bomb it, naval attack is most certainly impossible. Islamabad is also at a pretty safe distance from borders making it a very safe place. All what is needed is LOVE to make it more beautiful and safer.

Toba Tek Singh. It just sounds cooler.

Anywhere is Northern Balochistan. Perhaps Ziarat?

Islamabad was not chosen by a group of town planer or on the basis of series of surveys and research. Ayub Khan did not like Karachi city and people of Karachi., secondly Islamabad was his home town. South Punjab cities would have been a better choice.

Soon you will have no Pakistan so whats the point to change capital. After the partition within provinces and cities, every ethnic group could make their village as their capital. All the liberal and educated class are welcome to migrate back to India and could make Dehli their capital.

Bahawalpur can be one such place because of infrastructure, academic institution, links by air road and railways.............and of course a big big Cantonment!

My brother, if you recommend a city to be in between the mountains and far away of the reach of our enemy India, than Quetta is the best city to be recommended as federal Capital for Pakistan.

I think there is no better alternative to the current capital, Islamabad. If we look at all of our provincial capitals they are too close to the borders, coastline or areas mired into insurgencies. So looking into a possibility of having capital to those cities or in their proximity is a bad idea, moreover the main reason for relocating capital from Karachi to Islamabad was its vulnerability to an attack by sea. Looking into other options like somewhere in the middle of the the country the best option seems to be Dera Ghazi Khan but this city is located near Indus river which mostly remains flooded during the summer season, along with that it is also close to insurgency hit Balochistan and the society around it is also tribal, and its too hot in summer. Multan is also a really hot city which a capital city should not be, also the federal capital should not be in the middle of a province as people from other provinces may become disillusioned citing it to be one province's capital. Swabi seems to be a good option but its a very under developed city requiring a lot of expenditure on new infrastructure generally accustomed with a federal capital and still its also close to the voilence ridden areas of KPK with some noted militants hailing from this district in the current TTP hierarchy. Looking into all of these possibilities, I think Islamabad is the best option for a federal capital.

Gwadar.

maybe Gwader or Karachi

Gwader is best option

Due to its greenery, flowers, hilly terrain, water reservoir Rawal Dam, fine weather and big market in near by Rawalpindi, Islamabad is probably the most beautiful and best capital in the world. Love Islamabad

If we are sincere and respectful to each other, it doesn't what our ethnicity is. Instead of focusing on where should the capital be, we should put our energy and focus to develop the country for equal opportunities for all Pakistanis. The division is created by corrupt politicians so that our focus not on them but against each other.

Riyadh. After all we do as these bigots tell us any way!

I think we have other important issues to deal with rather than getting involved in such a debate.

Want to see better Pakistan....make Karachi capital once again....at least our politicians including president and prime minister will ensure that Karachi is developed on modern line with full focus on its security situation.....the city is still full of life despite fragile security situation.

@Afaq: Well said that's the kind of thought that we don't have in our country

Gwadar, it will change the mindset of the ruling class. The more the capital is away from Afghanistan , the less they will worry about strategic depths. The threat of military take overs will also diminish.

The capital should be changing after a decade. It will visit every province at some point of time.

SWAT is the best capital

DC. Thats where decision related to Pakistan are taken