PM halts action on One Constitution Avenue, forms committee after IHC ruling

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday constituted a high-level committee to review the controversy surrounding One Constitution Avenue and ordered authorities to suspend any action until a final decision is taken.

The move comes a day after the Islamabad High Court upheld the Capital Development Authority’s decision to cancel the building’s lease over payment defaults by the developer, triggering uncertainty among residents.

According to official details, the committee—headed by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar—will examine all legal and administrative aspects of the case and submit its report within a week. It includes Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, along with the cabinet and commerce secretaries. Authorities said affected residents and stakeholders would be given an opportunity to present their موقف before the panel.

Until the committee completes its review, the Islamabad administration and the CDA have been directed to refrain from any eviction or enforcement action.

Earlier, residents of the high-rise began vacating apartments amid a heavy police presence, following reports of eviction notices after the court ruling. Videos circulating online showed police deployed across the premises, while some occupants claimed late-night visits by officials, alleging they were asked to leave without being shown documentation.

Apartments in the building are reportedly owned or rented by several prominent figures, including Imran Khan, Aitzaz Ahsan, Shandana Gulzar, Burjees Tahir and former caretaker prime minister Nasirul Mulk.

Separately, Talal Chaudhry defended the action against the developer, stating that the company had repeatedly defaulted on payments and violated lease terms. He said the project was originally approved for a hotel and serviced apartments but was converted into residential units in breach of the agreement.

The minister added that the developer had also defaulted on loans from the Bank of Punjab, leading to proceedings before the National Accountability Bureau. He maintained that multiple court rulings had upheld the CDA’s position, reinforcing what he termed the “writ of the state.”

The case has drawn widespread attention due to its legal, financial and governance implications, as well as its impact on residents caught in the dispute over one of Islamabad’s most prominent developments.