ISLAMABAD: Owing to shortage of time, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has dropped plan to construct the mega New Islamabad Convention, Exhibition and Expo Centre (NICEEC) project.

The project was planned for next year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad. However, sources said the joint venture of China Construction Third Engineering Bureau and it local partner Kasib Builders and Developers, which had submitted the lowest bid, had refused to execute the project, stating that due to shortage of time, it cannot be completed by September next year.

Sources in the CDA said now, the civic agency will go for uplifting and upgradation of the existing Jinnah Convention Centre where besides the new building a banquet hall will also be built.

The CDA had opened the financial bids for the NICEEC project on August 4 this year, with the lowest bid coming in at a whopping Rs37 billion.

Sources said the construction company later offered to complete the project for Rs34 billion. However, CDA took considerable time in deciding the fate of the bid and ultimately the lowest bidder refused to execute the project, stating that at least 12 to 14 months were required to complete this project.

According to a CDA document, “the flagship facility will serve as a world-class multi-functional venue for conventions, exhibitions, expos, trade fairs and cultural events, and will also host the SCO summit in 2027”.

However, CDA officials held series of meetings on this proposed project but could not finalise the process to get the project started on time.As a result, the project has now been dropped.

In November last year, PC-I of this project worth Rs19 billion was approved, but the CDA took considerable time for calling tender. Initially, it was concrete-based project, but later, it was converted to steel, which raised its cost.

“PC-I was approved last year, but bidding process was not completed under fast track mode, resultantly, due to shortage of time, the project has been shelved,” said an officer, adding that soon the CDA will call bids for upgradation and expansion of the existing Jinnah Convention Centre.

It is relevant to note here that a few years ago, CDA and the federal government spent massive funding on the renovation and facelift of Jinnah Convention Centre.

“Yes, we are making arrangements for upgradation of the Jinnah Convention Centre,” a CDA officer said.

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2026