Islamabad has approved a major infrastructure milestone as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) greenlights the Rs19.37 billion New Islamabad Convention and Expo Centre (NICEEC), a project set to redefine the capital’s event landscape ahead of the SCO Summit 2027.
The approval was granted during the 78th CDA-DWP meeting chaired by CDA Chairman and Islamabad Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa. The new centre fills a long-standing gap in the federal capital, which has lacked a modern, large-scale venue for global conferences, trade fairs, cultural festivals and international delegations.
According to the CDA spokesperson, the upcoming multifunctional complex is designed to host national and international exhibitions and high-level government events. Officials confirmed that the NICEEC has already been chosen as the venue for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2027, putting pressure on the authority to ensure timely delivery.
“This project must reflect global standards and be completed within the 18-month deadline,” Chairman Randhawa directed during the meeting.
The state-of-the-art centre will feature international-grade halls, event spaces and modern facilities to support Pakistan’s growing diplomatic and commercial footprint. Authorities say the project will also enhance Islamabad’s capacity to host world leaders and major trade delegations.
Alongside the convention centre, the CDA-DWP also approved six new pedestrian bridges worth Rs574.68 million. The bridges will be built at key locations to reduce accidents and provide safer road crossings for schoolchildren, elderly citizens and persons with disabilities, particularly along high-traffic corridors.
The CDA emphasized that both initiatives aim to modernize Islamabad’s infrastructure and improve urban safety and mobility.