ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal government plans to transform the controversial One Constitution Avenue building into a five-star hotel within the next few months, while launching action against illegal land occupation across Islamabad and pursuing accountability for alleged irregularities in the project.
ون کانسٹیٹیوشن ایونیو فائیو اسٹار ہوٹل میں تبدیل ہوگا، سرکاری زمین واگزار کرانے میں کسی سے رعایت نہیں ہوگی، محسن نقوی!!! https://t.co/Lfjteznufz
— Nadir Baloch (@BalochNadir5) November 4, 2026
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Wednesday that the government would explore an agreement with a major international hotel chain to make the building operational, helping address the shortage of quality hotel accommodation in the federal capital.
Addressing a press conference alongside Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Naqvi said the government would implement the recommendations of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), whose report had been approved by the federal cabinet.
One Constitution Avenue to become five-star hotel
Naqvi said the building was originally designed for hotel operations and the government intended to restore it to its intended purpose as soon as possible.
He noted that Islamabad was facing a shortage of hotel facilities and converting the property into a five-star hotel would help meet the growing demand for accommodation in the capital.
The minister appreciated the Capital Development Authority (CDA) team for pursuing the case, particularly CDA lawyer Kashif, but acknowledged that mistakes by some authority officials had contributed to the controversy.
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He said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) would investigate the matter further and determine responsibility for the alleged irregularities.
Naqvi added that all outstanding payments to the concerned parties would be made in accordance with the JIT report. As the federal cabinet had approved the findings, the government would implement its recommendations.
He further said the JIT had recommended dissolving the committee formed by the concerned individuals. Following the cabinet’s directions, the CDA Member Administration would immediately assume responsibility for all matters relating to the building.
Pakistan vows action against Islamabad encroachments
The interior minister said the government was determined to eliminate illegal occupation of public land across Islamabad, irrespective of the location or influence of those involved.
Describing the scale of encroachments in the capital as far greater than commonly imagined, he urged residents to ensure that their properties remained within legally approved boundaries.
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Referring to residential properties in F-6, F-7 and F-8, Naqvi said the CDA chairman had informed him that some homeowners had extended their lawns beyond their property limits.
He urged residents in all sectors, including F-6 and F-10, to remove unauthorised extensions and comply with approved property boundaries.
Naqvi stressed that influential individuals would not be allowed to retain illegal occupations while ordinary citizens faced anti-encroachment operations.
He thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for supporting the process, saying the premier had directed that the matter be decided strictly on merit, without discrimination between the rich and poor.
اسلام آباد میں دیدہ دلیری سے سرکاری جگہوں پر قبضہ کیا گیا ۔ امیر غریب کے الگ الگ قانون نہیں ہوسکتا ۔جناح کنونشن سنٹر کو فائیو سٹار ہوٹل 🏨 میں تبدیل کرنے کا اعلان https://t.co/LLj93p6ewn
— Muhammad Akram Abid (@MAAbidDigital) November 4, 2026
Tarar promises accountability within three months
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the JIT had identified irregularities in the One Constitution Avenue project dating back to the mid-2000s and pointed out officials involved in awarding the contract.
He said the investigation had identified alleged offences and those responsible, recommending that the matter be referred to NAB for further investigation.
Tarar said the government wanted the NAB inquiry to be conducted transparently and expedited, with a target of completion within three months, followed by the initiation of trial proceedings.
He emphasised that genuine investors who had purchased apartments with their hard-earned money, without knowledge of the alleged irregularities, would be protected.
The JIT had recommended safeguarding the interests of bona fide investors, including Pakistanis living abroad, and providing appropriate compensation in view of the proposed re-tendering and redesigning of the project.
The information minister said the federal cabinet had endorsed the JIT findings and that matters concerning alleged facilitation by certain judicial circles would also be examined through the appropriate process.
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Reiterating the government’s position, Tarar said the law would apply equally to everyone and no influential individual would be allowed to escape accountability.
He added that the government’s approach was aimed at protecting public interest, ensuring transparency and ending discriminatory enforcement of the law.
