ISLAMABAD: The first phase of the much-delayed Islamabad Model Jail project has been completed and the city managers are expecting its inauguration anytime soon.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has completed work on the phase-1 and the buildings are currently being washed ahead of its inauguration. After the inauguration, around 1,500 inmates can be accommodated in the three barracks.

“Work of phase-1 has been completed. Under this phase we constructed three barracks with capacity of accommodating around 1500 inmates while besides other facilities a 35-bed hospital has also been set up,” said an officer of the CDA. He said Islamabad administration had also deputed necessary staff.

“Hopefully, Prime Minister or Interior Minister will inaugurate this project anytime soon. There is no delay on our part and the project is ready for inauguration,” he said and added that horticulture and landscaping work was being finalised.

The model jail has been set up in Sector H-16.

The project faced prolonged delays. It was started by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration with the federal government’s funding. The ICT and the government had authorised the now defunct Public Works Department (PWD) for execution of the project. But work remained either stuck or continued with a slow pace.

Last year, the project was handed over to CDA for execution, which managed the completion of its first phase.

“Credit goes to Interior Minister, Chief Commissioner/CDA Chairman and his team for completion of first phase as they not only visited site several times but kept monitoring construction constantly,” another officer of CDA said.

To a query, he said phase-1 project had been completed at a cost of around Rs7 billion, including fund utilised by PWD.

It is relevant to note here that in the absence of a jail, the federal capital used Adiala jail of the Punjab government.

The Islamabad Model Jail project was approved in 2016 with the estimated cost of Rs3.9 billion and the completion deadline was 2019. However, the project faced delays from the start because of multiple issues with top most funding shortage. Later, the PC-I was revised.

“After inauguration, Islamabad administration and police will start keeping prisoners involved in cases in the capital in this jail,” said an official, adding that Adiala Jail was already facing the capacity issue.

“I hope the next phase will also be completed on a priority basis,” he said, adding all facilities as per the jail manual will be provided, including food, laundry and medical treatment.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2026