For years, Islamabad’s premier event space, the Jinnah Convention Centre (JCC), has struggled to accommodate large-scale international events. With the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit set for 2027, the city is now taking action to address this issue.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is moving forward with two major projects: a new convention and expo center, and a luxury hotel. These multi-billion rupee developments aim to transform Islamabad into a leading international events hub.
Quick facts
- New Center Approved: The CDA Development Working Party (CDA-DWP) has greenlit the New Islamabad Convention, Expo and Exhibition Centre (NICEEC) with a budget of Rs19.371 billion ($69.16 million).
- SCO 2027 Deadline: The project has a tight 18-month completion timeline to ensure it is ready to host the prestigious SCO Summit in 2027.
- Three Site Options: City planners are currently reviewing three potential sites for the new centre: near the traffic office by Faizabad, close to the Pakistan-China Centre, and adjacent to the existing Jinnah Convention Centre (JCC).
- Luxury Hotel Fast-Tracked: A separate Rs57.7 billion ($205.82 million) luxury hotel project, planned under a public-private partnership, is also being expedited to support the growing hospitality needs.
The decision to establish a new, state-of-the-art facility stems directly from the Prime Minister’s directives to modernize the city’s infrastructure ahead of the major international conference. Last month, the Planning Commission officially approved the convention center’s PC-I, cementing the Capital Development Authority’s ambitious plans.
The working paper for the facility clearly states its dual purpose: to be a world-class, multifunctional venue for national and international expos, trade fairs, and cultural events, and to specifically host the SCO summit expected in 2027.
“The center will strengthen Islamabad’s position as a hub for commerce, innovation and cultural exchange, contributing to the city’s economic and tourism development,” the CDA’s working paper noted.
Speaking about the pressing schedule, CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa stressed the urgency. He said that the completion of the project “must be ensured prior to the international conferences, including the upcoming SCO meetings.”
Selecting the Best Fit for a World-Class Venue
The location of the New Islamabad Convention, Expo and Exhibition Centre (NICEEC) is perhaps the most immediate decision facing the CDA. During a recent meeting chaired by Randhawa, three distinct sites were placed on the table for discussion.
The proposed locations include: a site adjacent to the busy traffic office near Faizabad, a location near the Pakistan-China Centre, and the possibility of constructing the new facility right adjacent to the existing Jinnah Convention Centre (JCC).
The CDA chairman confirmed the process is focused on selecting the best possible option. “Options are being discussed. The facility will be built in accordance with the master plan of Islamabad,” Randhawa told Dawn. He elaborated that the chosen location must ensure “easy public access and provide better parking facilities,” adding that “international standards must be considered in the construction of the convention and expo center.”
Boosting Hospitality with a multi-billion rupee Hotel
The convention center isn’t the only major project underway to elevate Islamabad’s global standing. The meeting also addressed the construction of a major luxury hotel, a move intended to significantly promote the hospitality industry in the capital.
The PC-I for this separate project, valued at a substantial Rs57.7 billion, has also been approved. The CDA aims to execute this hotel through a public-private partnership model. The authority is keen to move quickly, with the chairman directing that the tendering process for the project be expedited so that its formal commencement can be made possible next year.
The CDA chief emphasized the necessity of procedural integrity in these massive deals, stating, “Open and transparent competitive process must be ensured at all stages of the projects.”
Long-Term Asset for the National Economy
These projects, collectively representing a massive infrastructure upgrade, are framed by the CDA not just as a means to host a single summit, but as a long-term economic investment. The convention center, in particular, is envisioned as a “long-term revenue-generating asset for the CDA and the national economy.”
Randhawa encapsulated the authority’s vision by saying, “This project is a significant step towards making the city a modern and world-class capital.” He further added that the completion of these mega projects will “transform the Federal Capital, Islamabad, into a hub for international and national events, tourism, and diplomatic activities.”
This twin development of a major convention space and a luxury hotel signals Islamabad’s firm intent to step into the role of a premier MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination, fundamentally changing its commercial and diplomatic future.