ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday visited the proposed site of new Islamabad Convention, Expo and Exhibition Centre (NICEEC) near Bhara Kahu bypass and stated completion of this project will make it easier to host major international events in Pakistan, including the SCO Summit and other global conferences.

According to PC-I, this mega project worth Rs19.3 billion will be completed in 18 months.

“During the visit, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi ordered removal of all illegal encroachments at the proposed site and strict, indiscriminate legal action be taken against the encroachers.

“He ordered the demolition of all illegal constructions and emphasized that no relief or compensation will be provided to those occupying the land unlawfully,” read a statement issued by Interior Ministry after the visit.

“On the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a decision has been taken to construct a new international-standard convention center in Islamabad,” read the press release.

Mohsin Naqvi reiterated that providing international-standard facilities in Islamabad is a key objective and that the completion of this project will make it easier to host major international events in Pakistan, including the SCO Summit and other global conferences.

CDA ChairmanMohammad Ali Randhawa, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Memon, and senior officials were also present on the occasion.

The said facility will be developed before the start of Bhara Kahu bypass (moving towards Bhara Kahu) and the CDA has already acquired land in this regard.

Sources said that the said NICEEC will be developed on around 50 acre while over 50 more acre is almost lying vacant, where officials sources said that in future, any sports facility such as golf course would be developed.

A retired town planner said that the proposed cricket stadium should be constructed in this area on available vacant land instead of foothills of Margalla in Zone III near D-12, where special permission will have to be acquired from federal government for allied facilities such as hotels and commercial areas. “Since this area falls in Zone 1 where construction activities including cricket stadium, etc., are allowed, so Interior Minister should consider this area for cricket stadium project too, instead of Zone III,” he said.

CDA’s Development Working Party (DWP) a couple of months ago had already approved PC-I of NICEEC project worth Rs19.3 billion. Once started this project, according to PC-I, will be completed in 18 month time.

“This flagship facility aims to serve as a world-class, multifunctional venue for national and international conventions, exhibitions, expos, trade fairs and cultural events. The centre will strengthen Islamabad’s position as a hub for commerce, innovation and cultural exchange, contributing to the city’s economic and tourism development. It will also host the SCO summit expected in Islamabad in 2027,” read a working paper of CDA.

It added 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 Master Plan of Islamabad,” it said.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2026