ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has called bids for the upgradation of Jinnah Convention Centre, besides construction of a new block for next year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

The SCO summit is likely to be held in August next year.

Earlier, the CDA wanted to construct the mega New Islamabad Convention, Exhibition and Expo Centre (NICEEC) project near the Malpur area. However, recently, due to a shortage of time, it seems the CDA is no longer interested in the NICEEC project near Malpur.

Therefore, the focus is now being placed on adding more facilities to the Jinnah Convention Centre.

New block to be constructed as NICEEC project near Malpur faces uncertainty

The other day, the CDA called tenders for the pre-qualification of firms for the NICEEC project/upgradation, uplifting and modernisation of the existing Jinnah Convention Centre. The civic agency fixed October 9 as the last date for construction firms to submit proposals for pre-qualification.

“Right now, our main target is expansion of Jinnah Convention, besides upgradation of the existing building. NICEEC building will also be added to Jinnah Convention Centre,” said a CDA source.

It is relevant to note that the bidding process for NICEEC Malpur was completed and the CDA received the lowest bid of Rs37 billion. Later, the contractor offered a Rs3 billion concession, but the project could not be started on time. Subsequently, the CDA dropped the said plan.

Now, the civic agency will set up a NICEEC, connecting it with Jinnah Convention.

Some officials Dawn spoke to raised alarm bells, stating that construction work on NICEEC at Jinnah Convention Centre would have to be completed to meet the deadline.

“SCO is approaching fast as it will be held in August. If this project is not started soon, then CDA could face a challenging situation in completing this project well before time,” said an official.

“Now, this is a race against time. Therefore, special focus should be paid to the early start and completion of this project,” said another official, adding that the project should be completed by mid-July, at least a month before the start of the conference.

Though estimates are being finalised for the project, sources hinted that the CDA could spend around Rs12 billion on it, but “nothing is final yet”.

According to a CDA document on NICEEC (Malpur), “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”.

In November last year, the PC-I of the project worth Rs19 billion was approved, with Rs16 billion allocated for the main project and Rs3 billion for contingency services and works. But later, it was converted to steel, which raised its cost as the CDA received a Rs37 billion bid, but the project in the Malpur area could not be started.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2026