Liaquat Bagh (officially Liaquat National Bagh) is a public park on Murree Road in Rawalpindi, best known as the place where Pakistan's first prime minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, was shot in 1951 and where Benazir Bhutto was killed in December 2007. It is a working city park rather than a polished tourist site, and it is worth a short stop if you are interested in the country's political history. Come with modest expectations: recent reporting describes a park much reduced and neglected.
This guide covers the history, what you will actually find inside, what we could not confirm about timings and fees, and how to get there.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Murree Road, Rawalpindi, near Gordon College |
| Earlier name | Company Bagh |
| Managed by | Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) |
| Nearest Metro Bus | Liaquat Bagh station, Line 1 (Saddar to Pak Secretariat) |
| Opening hours and fee | Not confirmed; ask locally |
| Time needed | 30 to 60 minutes |
What is Liaquat Bagh?
The park began in the colonial era as Company Bagh, a garden laid out by the East India Company, and was renamed after Liaquat Ali Khan following his assassination there. For a century it was one of Rawalpindi's main open spaces, used for wrestling bouts, public meetings and political rallies. It hosted Muhammad Ali Jinnah in 1936, according to Dawn's reporting.
Today it sits beside one of the busiest roads in the twin cities, with the Metro Bus station on its edge. It is close to Raja Bazaar and Saddar, which makes it easy to include in a walk through old Rawalpindi.
The two assassinations
Liaquat Ali Khan, 16 October 1951. Pakistan's first prime minister was shot twice while addressing a public meeting. The park was renamed in his memory.
Benazir Bhutto, 27 December 2007. Bhutto was shot as she left an election rally at the park, and a suicide bomb went off immediately afterwards. Around 20 other people were killed.
There is no large memorial museum. If you are hoping for a monument or an interpretive display, you will find less than you expect, and it is polite to keep in mind that many visitors treat the site with quiet respect.
What is there to see now?
Dawn reported that most of the historic land had been taken over by other uses. The park once covered about 30 acres and now stands at roughly 52 kanals, which is roughly a fifth of the original, and offices, a waste management company depot and water tanker stations occupy parts of the grounds. What remains, according to the same report, includes:
- A wrestling akhara (pehalwan akhara) more than a century old
- Old chinar trees
- An old overhead water tank
- Liaquat Memorial Hall
- Cricket nets in one corner
The Parks and Horticulture Authority has proposed an Rs800 million refurbishment for fiscal year 2026-27, subject to Punjab government approval. We could not confirm whether that has been approved, so check locally on the current condition before you go.
Opening hours and entry fee
We could not find official opening hours or an entry fee for Liaquat Bagh, and sources that list them do not agree. Municipal parks in Punjab are usually open in daylight hours, but ask at a shop on Murree Road or at the Metro station before you plan around a set time. Treat any fee figure you read elsewhere as unconfirmed.
How to reach Liaquat Bagh
- By Metro Bus. Liaquat Bagh is a stop on the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus line, which runs between Saddar in Rawalpindi and Pak Secretariat in Islamabad. It is the easiest way to arrive from Islamabad, and you avoid parking. The Metro corridor has been undergoing rehabilitation, so expect some works at stations.
- By local bus. An electric bus route launched in 2025 was reported to run from Fawara Chowk to Koral Chowk via Liaquat Bagh.
- By car or rickshaw. Murree Road is congested, and there is little parking near the park. Ask your driver to drop you at Liaquat Bagh stop and walk in.
Combining it with the rest of old Rawalpindi
Liaquat Bagh is a short stop, so pair it with other sights nearby. Our guide to places to visit in Rawalpindi lists the main ones, and two options within easy reach are Raja Bazaar for shopping and street food and Ayub Park if you want a greener stop. If you are interested in more of the city's history, see our experiences page.
Go in the morning or late afternoon. Murree Road is heavily used, and political rallies or road closures can change the day, so check the news if you are travelling on a day with a planned event.
Is it worth visiting?
It depends on why you want to go. For a traveller interested in Pakistani political history, the site's significance is real, and it is close to the Metro. For a family looking for a pleasant park, Liaquat Bagh is not the best choice at present, and we would send you to a better-kept park first.
If you only have a few hours in Rawalpindi, put the bazaars and food streets ahead of it. If you have a day or more, it fits as a 30 minute stop.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi?
It is on Murree Road, near Government Gordon College, with a Metro Bus station of the same name beside it.
Who was assassinated at Liaquat Bagh?
Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan's first prime minister, on 16 October 1951, and Benazir Bhutto on 27 December 2007.
What are the timings of Liaquat Bagh?
We could not confirm official hours. Daylight hours are typical for city parks, but ask locally before you go.
Is there an entry fee at Liaquat Bagh?
We could not verify one. Ask at the entrance.
How do I get to Liaquat Bagh from Islamabad?
Take the Metro Bus towards Saddar and get off at Liaquat Bagh station. It is the simplest route from most of Islamabad.
