ISLAMABAD, Aug 1: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) will open bids submitted for construction of a new five-star hotel near the Convention Centre on Monday, it was announced.

The directives to construct the hotel were issued by former prime minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali to provide a better place for holding important national and international events.

An official of the CDA told Dawn that although the hotel would be a five-star, it would provide the facility of a six-star hotel. He said the hotel was being constructed on a 13.5-acre land and it would be completed within three years.

He said earlier some nine internationally reputed chains of hotels had shown interest in the project. The official could not confirmed that how many chains would take part in the bidding.

The CDA has invited both local and international firms for submitting plans for the project. "As it would be of an international standard, we would prefer to give the contract to well a reputed international firm," he added.