ISLAMABAD: The new Islamabad Convention, Expo and Exhibition Centre (NICEEC) is likely to be constructed near the Bhara Kahu bypass, Dawn has learnt.

Sources said the federal government and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) are mulling the construction of the new centre near the starting point of the Bhara Kahu bypass, close to Malpur, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in 2027.

They said land acquired by the CDA is already available in the area.

“Yes, the area in question is being considered for the construction of the Convention and Expo Centre, but a final decision has not yet been made as another option is also being reviewed. However, there are strong chances that this facility will be built in the Malpur area,” said a senior CDA officer. He added that the area is ideal for NICEEC as it is located close to the Diplomatic Enclave.

He said that a couple of months ago, the CDA’s Development Working Party (DWP) had approved the PC-I of the project, estimated at Rs19.3 billion. Once started, the project, according to the PC-I, will be completed in 18 months.

“This flagship facility aims to serve as a world-class, multifunctional venue for national and international conventions, exhibitions, expos, trade fairs and cultural events. It will also host the SCO summit expected in Islamabad in 2027,” read a CDA working paper.

It adds that the proposed convention centre will be a long-term revenue-generating asset for the CDA and the national economy. “Its financial returns will arise from direct and indirect sources such as event hosting, facility rentals, service contracts and tourism-related expenditures. It is being proposed in accordance with the Islamabad Master Plan,” it says.

It is relevant to note that a few years ago, the federal government decided to privatise the existing Jinnah Convention Centre, spread over 7.59 acres, including a built-up area of 4.13 acres, as part of the Privatisation Commission’s plan. However, the government later decided to construct another centre as the existing one is inadequate to host major international events.

Last year, the CDA also proposed the Jinnah Square Downtown project, spanning 5,400 kanals along Srinagar Highway and Murree Road. It was proposed that the downtown area would start from the One Constitution high-rise building and culminate near the Bhara Kahu bypass. If NICEEC is developed in the Malpur area, it would dovetail with the proposed downtown project in the future.

The proposed downtown was to be developed on the left side of Srinagar Highway and Murree Road, facing the Bhara Kahu side. Sources in the CDA said the authority was already in possession of over 90 per cent of the land in the area. However, after a conceptual paper and discussions last year, the downtown project was shelved.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2026