Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday constituted a high-level committee to review the dispute surrounding Islamabad’s One Constitution Avenue, and directed the relevant authorities to refrain from taking any further action in the matter.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has been tasked to chair the committee, which also comprises Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, as well as the cabinet and commerce secretaries, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. The committee has been directed to submit its findings within a week. It would examine all aspects of the issue and submit a comprehensive report to the prime minister.
The committee has been told to allow all affected individuals to present their concerns before it, hearing all parties and stakeholders without any discrimination.
The prime minister formed the committee after reports emerged last night that the Capital Development Authority (CDA), accompanied by police, arrived at the site to take custody of the 22-storey structure following the cancellation of its lease. According to residents, police gave them until Saturday midnight to vacate their homes, adding electricity would be disconnected by 6 p.m.
The police action followed Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sardar Sarfaraz Dogar dismissing a petition filed by a private company against the cancellation of the building’s lease. During proceedings, the CDA informed the court that the developer had defaulted on payments for over two decades, requiring the cancellation of their lease.
There are also reports that the developer had initially claimed to build a multi-storey five-star hotel but had subsequently converted it into residential apartments, potential depriving Islamabad of a major hospitality project.
One Constitution Avenue is no stranger to controversy. In 2019, the Supreme Court had conditionally allowed the regularization of the building as a residential property in exchange for dues, to be paid over eight years. The CDA claims these are the funds that have not been paid.