ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has approved documentation of two joint ventures (JVs) of international and local firms for the construction of a new convention, expo and exhibition centre in Islamabad.

The convention centre will be established in Malpur near the Bhara Kahu bypass. The CDA and the federal government are also planning to appoint a new member infrastructure/building for the early execution of mega development projects, including the convention centre.

Sources said a former officer of the Punjab Communication and Works Department was likely to be appointed as the member infrastructure while a serving officer of the same department will join the CDA as the director general (DG) infrastructure anytime soon.

The sources said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had directed the CDA to expedite work and get all mega projects completed at the earliest.

Besides the convention centre, they added, CDA was focusing on several mega projects, including the proposed cricket stadium and the construction of service roads along the Expressway. Therefore, a new wing headed by the proposed member infrastructure will be set up and the projects and functions of the engineering wing will be divided for smooth functioning. Three companies had participated in the bidding process for the new convention centre, out of which two JVs have been cleared in the technical evaluation of bids.

A joint venture of China Construction Third Engineering Bureau – Kasib Builder & Developers Pvt Ltd and Zeeruk International — and a JV of China Railway Sixth Group, Usmani International Associates – Osmani and Company — have been declared responsive.

While the third JV — Matracon Pakistan Pvt Ltd, China First Metallurgical Group Co Ltd, Tong Yuan Design Group Co Ltd and Designmen Consulting Engineers were declared “technically non-responsive”.

The sources said the designs of both the responsive companies have been reviewed and the design of China Third Engineering has been approved. Now both the companies will be directed to submit their bids again in accordance with the approved design.

Meanwhile, sources said the JV, which was declared non-responsive, had submitted grievance to the CDA.

CDA officials said a non-responsive company had the right to file grievance before Public Procurement Regulatory Authority after completion process of technical evaluation.

“Once process of technical bids is completed, the non responsive company can file grievance properly and decision will be made on their application within 10 days,” said an officer of CDA.

Last year, CDA’s Development Working Party (DWP) had approved the PC-I of the project, estimated at Rs19.3 billion. According to the PC-I, once started, the project will be completed in 18 months.

However, sources said the federal government and CDA wanted to get the convention centre completed within a year before the next year SCO summit. In the remaining six months, the other parts of the project will be completed.

The sources said almost eight months had already passed since the site was selected; therefore, special focus is required to get the project started as soon as possible.

“The 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 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 Islamabad Master Plan,” it added.

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 One Constitution high-rise building and culminate near the Bhara Kahu bypass. If the new convention centre is developed in Malpur, 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. However, after a conceptual paper and discussions last year, the downtown project was shelved.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2026