Current Time in Islamabad, Pakistan
Exact time synced with atomic clocks (IANA + NTP)
Country
پاکستان
Dialling: +92
City Details
Islamabad
اسلام آباد
Lat: 33.6844° N
Long: 73.0479° E
Population: 1,000,000
Time Zone
Asia/Karachi
GMT+5
Public Holidays in Pakistan
No holiday data available for this country.
Via Nager.Date
Time Difference from You to Islamabad
Business Hours in Islamabad
Sunrise & Sunset in Islamabad Today
Data via sunrisesunset.io
Current Weather in Islamabad, Pakistan
Data via Open-Meteo · Updates every 30 min
Moon Phase in Islamabad Tonight
Overview
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and a purpose-built city, with approximately 1.23 million residents in the city and over 3 million in the Islamabad-Rawalpindi twin-city metro area as of 2025. Designed by Greek architect Constantinos Doxiadis in the 1960s, it is one of Pakistan's most planned, green and educated cities. The Faisal Mosque — one of the world's largest — dominates the city's skyline against a backdrop of the Margalla Hills.
Administrative Region
Islamabad Capital Territory
PK-IS
Local Currency
₨
Metadata
- Web Domain.pk
- ISO CodePK-IS
Culture & Daily Life
📜 History & Origins
The decision to build a new capital was made in 1958, partly for strategic reasons (Karachi on the Arabian Sea coast felt vulnerable) and to create a more central federal seat. The site in the Pothohar Plateau was chosen in 1959 and construction began in 1961. The capital was officially transferred from Karachi to Islamabad on 14 August 1967. The city replaced Karachi, which had served as Pakistan's first capital since independence in 1947.
🗣️ Languages
👥 Demographics
✨ Leisure Highlights
- •Faisal Mosque — one of the world's largest mosques, set against the Margalla Hills
- •Daman-e-Koh viewpoint — panoramic city view
- •Pakistan Monument and Heritage Museum
- •Lok Virsa (National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage)
- •Margalla Hills National Park — hiking trails from the city edge
🎒 Visitor Tip
Islamabad is by far Pakistan's most planned and manageable city for visitors — wide tree-lined streets, good pavements, and a relatively relaxed atmosphere. Faisal Mosque in the foothills of the Margalla Hills is architecturally exceptional and open to visitors (no shoes, modest dress). The Daman-e-Koh viewpoint gives panoramic views of the city from the hills. Lok Virsa Museum has excellent traditional craft and cultural collections. Rawalpindi's Raja Bazaar (10 minutes away) provides the contrasting old-city experience.
Geography & Climate
Land & Terrain
Surface area and physical characteristics
Located on the Pothohar Plateau at approximately 540m above sea level, at the foot of the Margalla Hills — the westernmost extremity of the Himalayas, rising to 1,604m directly north of the city. The terrain is gently undulating plateau, significantly greener than most Pakistani cities due to planned tree planting and the adjacent national park. The Rawal Lake reservoir is within the city limits.
Climate Stats
Humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa/Cwa)
Avg Summer
32°C
Avg Winter
7°C
Annual Rainfall
1142 mm
Best Months (Sunshine)
Travel & Connectivity
✈️ Nearby AirportsIATA / Distance
🚄 Rail ConnectionsOperator / Distance
Nearby Cities & Excursions
Other times compared to Islamabad
Frequently Asked Questions about time in Islamabad
What timezone is Islamabad in?↓
Islamabad is in the Asia/Karachi time zone (Asia/Karachi), currently UTCGMT+5.
Does Pakistan observe daylight saving time?↓
No. Pakistan does not observe daylight saving time. Islamabad stays on Karachi (UTCGMT+5) year-round, so the clocks never change.
What is Karachi?↓
Karachi stands for Asia/Karachi. It is UTCGMT+5 and is the standard time used in Pakistan.
How many hours ahead is Islamabad compared to London?↓
Islamabad is 5 hours ahead of London (GMT). During UK summer (BST), the difference reduces by 1 hour to 4 hours.
What is the time difference between Islamabad and New York?↓
Islamabad is 10 hours ahead of New York (EST). When New York switches to EDT in summer, the difference decreases by 1 hour.
How accurate is the time shown for Islamabad?↓
The time displayed for Islamabad is synced with atomic clock sources via NTP (Network Time Protocol) and uses IANA timezone data to ensure accuracy to the second. It automatically reflects any daylight saving time changes.
What does UTCGMT+5 mean for Islamabad?↓
UTCGMT+5 means Islamabad is 5 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global standard for timekeeping.
What are the business hours in Islamabad?↓
Standard business hours in Islamabad are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Karachi (UTCGMT+5). Many businesses also operate Saturday mornings. Public holidays follow the Pakistan national calendar.
What is the best time to call Islamabad from London?↓
The best overlap for a call between London and Islamabad is typically early morning in London (8–10 AM GMT), which corresponds to late afternoon or evening in Islamabad. Always check the current time before calling to avoid unsociable hours.