LAHORE: Pakistan plans to develop a Manhattan-style urban district spanning 1,000 acres behind the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad, featuring towering skyscrapers, a central park, a lake and residential and commercial complexes, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced.
Unveiling the proposals at the Saudi-Pak Real Estate Expo in Lahore, Naqvi said the proposed development would operate under a separate regulatory framework, while the government would auction prime plots in Islamabad in December to attract investment in hotels, shopping malls and high-rise residential projects.
The announcement signals an ambitious vision for Islamabad’s urban expansion, combining commercial development with recreational facilities and a proposed streamlined approval system for investors.
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New regulatory framework for Islamabad project
Naqvi said the proposed Manhattan-style district would function under a separate set of laws, rules and standard operating procedures. However, he did not disclose details of the proposed regulatory framework or explain how it would interact with existing planning and development regulations.
The development would feature a central park and a lake surrounded by residential and commercial complexes, creating a high-rise urban district behind the Prime Minister’s House.
The new blue area Islamabad 😍🇵🇰 https://t.co/iTzb53ZMTv
— Powindah 💀 (@intel_view) August 23, 2026
The minister said the government would offer plots measuring one, two, three and six acres for high-rise construction, with buildings required to reach a minimum height of 600 feet.
Investors would be expected to complete their projects within three years of approval, he added.
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December plot auctions to offer inventory-sharing model
The government plans to auction prime plots in Islamabad in December, offering an alternative to conventional upfront land payments through an inventory-sharing arrangement.
Naqvi said the process would begin with 15 per cent of the inventory, with investors submitting offers under the proposed model. He did not provide further details about how the inventory would be valued, allocated or shared between the government and developers.
The proposed arrangement is intended to attract investors to major commercial and residential projects while creating opportunities for high-rise developments in the federal capital.
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Interior ministry to streamline project approvals
Naqvi said the government would establish an approval mechanism within the Interior Ministry to process applications within three to four weeks.
The proposed system would spare investors from having to visit the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and other government offices separately, he said.
A five-member auction committee would oversee the process, comprising representatives of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the CDA, alongside a judge who would head the committee.
According to the minister, the proposed mechanism is intended to address investors’ security concerns and reduce the risk of complications arising from objections by government departments after projects have been awarded.
Details of the committee’s legal authority, decision-making process and proposed safeguards have yet to be announced.
We are going to build Asia’s largest safari park in Islamabad : Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi
https://t.co/xyrEYoHBGJ— Hamza Awan (🇵🇰♥️🐅) (@HamzaAw31785313) October 23, 2026
Islamabad to get 450-acre safari park
The minister also announced plans to establish what he described as Asia’s largest safari park in Islamabad, covering approximately 450 acres.
Citing a safari park project in Punjab, Naqvi said improvements to the facility, including the addition of animals and reconstruction work, had raised its annual auction value from Rs20 million to Rs680 million within a year.
He presented the increase as an example of the investment potential of entertainment and recreational facilities, arguing that Pakistan had significant untapped opportunities in residential development and leisure infrastructure.
The proposed safari park would add to the government’s plans to expand recreational options in the capital.
In line with the vision of Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, CDA’s Efforts Continue to Transform Islamabad into a Modern, Developed and Green Capital. Establishment of Three Modern Sports Arenas Underway which have appreciated by Citizen
In line with the vision of Federal Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and under the effective supervision of CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is undertaking comprehensive measures to promote Islamabad’s development, prosperity and beautification while providing modern facilities to its residents. Citizens have particularly appreciated CDA’s initiative to establish three modern sports arenas in Islamabad, recognizing the importance of international-standard sports facilities in promoting physical fitness, mental well-being and healthy activities, particularly among young people. The initiative is expected to provide greater opportunities for sporting activities, encourage emerging talent and promote a healthier lifestyle among residents. Through timely and accelerated development, the recovery of billions of rupees worth of public land, urban beautification, plantation drives, improved water supply, solid waste management, the establishment of three modern sports arenas, and the upgradation of parks, including Lake View Park, CDA is working to transform Pakistan’s federal capital into a modern, economically vibrant and world-class city. This comprehensive development agenda goes beyond routine maintenance, focusing on the timely completion of major projects, modern urban mobility and the preservation of Islamabad’s green identity.
*Under the leadership of Federal Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and the effective supervision of CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf, Islamabad’s rapid development has received appreciation at various levels. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif laid the foundation stone of the Kashmir Chowk Underpass and commended Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf and CDA teams for setting a target to complete the project within one month. This initiative reflects CDA’s commitment to executing development projects efficiently and expeditiously while maintaining engineering standards and ensuring public safety.*
To reduce traffic congestion and improve the urban transportation system, CDA has completed several important underpass and road rehabilitation projects. These include the Margalla Road and Ninth Avenue underpasses, which have helped improve traffic flow. In addition, projects such as the Shaheen Chowk Underpass and Faisal Avenue Underpass have contributed to improving connectivity between residential and commercial areas.
CDA has also completed road resurfacing and pedestrian pathway improvement works in various commercial and residential areas, including the F-series and G-series sectors and the Blue Area.
Building on these achievements, CDA is accelerating work on several major projects aimed at upgrading the capital’s infrastructure to meet future requirements and reclaiming valuable public assets. The Kashmir Chowk Underpass, being constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.4 billion, is an important project designed to improve traffic flow between Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Work is also underway on the construction of the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East and the upgradation of infrastructure in the Diplomatic Enclave to provide improved facilities for residents and the diplomatic community.
*CDA has also reclaimed more than 1,000 kanals of valuable public land in Sector E-12 that had remained under encroachment for decades. The recovered land is valued at billions of rupees. This achievement has paved the way for the comprehensive development of Sector E-12 and construction activities in accordance with the approved master plan.*
— Capital Development Authority – CDA, Islamabad (@CDAthecapital) October 11, 2026
Another major park planned for the capital
The latest proposals follow Naqvi’s October 6 announcement that Islamabad would receive another park roughly the size of Fatima Jinnah Park, commonly known as F-9 Park.
The planned green space is intended to improve recreational facilities for residents and visitors while supporting the capital’s green character.
Together, the proposed park, safari park and Manhattan-style district would represent a major expansion of Islamabad’s planned urban and recreational infrastructure, although timelines, funding arrangements and implementation details remain unclear.
CDA Accelerates Sector Development Work to Transform Islamabad into a Modern and Model Capital
Citizens Appreciate CDA’s Development Initiatives, Including the Construction and Improvement of Roads, Underpasses, Bridges and Pedestrian Bridges
The Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) visited Sector E-12 to review the latest progress of ongoing development works and directed the concerned officers to accelerate development activities. The Director General (Works), CDA, Chief Executive Officer, MCI, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Project Director and the concerned Assistant Commissioner also accompanied him during the visit. The CDA Chairman stated that the Authority is focusing particularly on development works across Islamabad, including sector development, the construction and improvement of roads, the construction of underpasses and pedestrian bridges, and the retrieval of valuable state land.
Under the directions of Federal Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and the effective supervision of CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf, these initiatives are being undertaken with the objective of transforming Islamabad into a more developed, modern and model city.
To ensure planned urban development and protect public assets, the CDA has made significant progress in retrieving state land in Sector E-12. More than 1,000 kanals of valuable state land, worth billions of rupees, have been retrieved. This achievement marks an important milestone in safeguarding public property and facilitating the planned development of the sector. The recovered land is supporting future development projects and helping advance the provision of essential infrastructure and civic facilities. The CDA is continuing development activities in Sectors I-12, E-12 and C-14 as part of its broader strategy to accelerate planned urban development and improve residential facilities across the federal capital. Special attention is being given to developing essential infrastructure, improving road networks and providing civic amenities to facilitate residents and ensure the orderly development of these sectors.
In Sector I-12, development work is focused on planned sector development and infrastructure improvement to meet the needs of the growing residential population. Similarly, development activities in Sector E-12 are progressing alongside efforts to protect state land and ensure the planned development of the sector. Development activities are also continuing in Sector C-14. The CDA is utilising all available resources to accelerate development works across various sectors of Islamabad and provide citizens with improved transportation facilities and better civic amenities.
*Under the effective supervision of CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf, extensive initiatives are being undertaken to improve infrastructure throughout Islamabad. These include the construction and rehabilitation of roads, the construction of underpasses, the construction and improvement of pedestrian bridges, and the upgrading of major road networks. These projects aim to facilitate commuters, improve traffic flow, ensure pedestrian safety and strengthen connectivity between different areas of the city.*
These measures reflect the CDA’s commitment to protecting state land, accelerating sector development, improving infrastructure, protecting the environment and enhancing civic amenities. Through coordinated development activities, the CDA is working to improve Islamabad’s overall urban environment and develop it into a modern, well-planned and environmentally attractive capital.
*Citizens have appreciated the CDA’s ongoing development initiatives, particularly the retrieval of valuable state land, the acceleration of development activities in Sectors I-12, E-12 and C-14, improvements to Park Enclave, and the construction and improvement of roads, underpasses and pedestrian bridges.*
— Capital Development Authority – CDA, Islamabad (@CDAthecapital) October 16, 2026
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Naqvi invited investors to explore the proposed developments, saying the government wanted to simplify approvals and provide a more predictable environment for investment.
The projects’ progress will depend on the finalisation of the regulatory framework, auction terms, development approvals and other implementation arrangements.
