ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is planning a major upgrade of the Jinnah Convention Centre ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit scheduled for August next year. The plan includes renovation of the existing facility and construction of an additional block.
The CDA has invited construction companies to submit pre-qualification proposals for the planned work. Firms have been given until October 9 to submit their proposals.
The authority had previously planned the New Islamabad Convention, Exhibition and Expo Centre (NICEEC) near Malpur. However, delays in that project have led the CDA to focus on expanding the existing Jinnah Convention Centre.
Under the revised plan, facilities originally proposed for NICEEC will be incorporated into the convention centre. The project will also include improvements to the existing building and additional space for major events.
The CDA had earlier completed the bidding process for the Malpur project. The lowest bid was reportedly around Rs. 37 billion. The contractor later offered a concession of about Rs. 3 billion, but the project could not begin within the planned timeframe.
The proposed renovation now faces a tight schedule because of the upcoming SCO summit. CDA officials have indicated that the work may need to be completed by mid-July to allow sufficient time for preparations before the event.
The final cost of the renovation and expansion has not yet been announced. However, estimates from CDA sources place the potential cost at around Rs. 12 billion.
The project is expected to improve the capacity and facilities of the Jinnah Convention Centre. Further details on the scope, cost, and construction timeline are likely to become clearer after the pre-qualification and subsequent procurement process.
