CDA clears two joint ventures for Islamabad convention centre project

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority has approved the documentation of two joint ventures comprising local and international firms for the planned convention, expo and exhibition centre in Islamabad, to be built in Malpur near the Bhara Kahu bypass.

Three companies took part in the bidding process for the project. Two joint ventures were declared responsive after the technical evaluation of bids: China Construction Third Engineering Bureau – Kasib Builder & Developers Pvt Ltd and Zeeruk International, and China Railway Sixth Group, Usmani International Associates – Osmani and Company. A third joint venture made up of Matracon Pakistan Pvt Ltd, China First Metallurgical Group Co Ltd, Tong Yuan Design Group Co Ltd and Designmen Consulting Engineers was declared technically non-responsive.

The designs submitted by the two responsive bidders were reviewed, and the design of China Construction Third Engineering Bureau was approved. Both responsive companies will now be asked to submit their bids again on the basis of the approved design.

The joint venture that was declared non-responsive had submitted a grievance to the CDA. CDA officials said a non-responsive company could approach the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority after the technical evaluation process is completed. A CDA officer said: "Once process of technical bids is completed, the non responsive company can file grievance properly and decision will be made on their application within 10 days."

Project timeline and cost

Last year, the CDA’s Development Working Party approved the project’s PC-I at an estimated cost of Rs19.3 billion. According to the PC-I, the project is to be completed within 18 months once work begins.

The federal government and the CDA want the convention centre ready within a year ahead of the next SCO summit, with the remaining components to be finished in the following six months. They said around eight months had already passed since the site was selected, making early commencement of work a priority.

A CDA working paper described the proposed facility as a venue intended for national and international conventions, exhibitions, expos, trade fairs and cultural activities. It also stated that the centre is expected to host the SCO summit in Islamabad in 2027 and said the project is being proposed in line with the Islamabad Master Plan.

Broader development plans

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has directed the CDA to speed up work and ensure early completion of major projects. Besides the convention centre, the authority is also focusing on other large schemes, including a proposed cricket stadium and service roads along the Expressway.

The federal government and the CDA are also planning to appoint a new member infrastructure/building to accelerate execution of major development schemes, including the convention centre. Sources said a former officer of the Punjab Communication and Works Department is likely to be appointed to that position, while a serving officer of the same department is expected to join the CDA as director general infrastructure. They added that a new wing headed by the proposed member infrastructure would be created, and responsibilities of the engineering wing would be divided to improve functioning.

Last year the CDA had floated the Jinnah Square Downtown project over 5,400 kanals along Srinagar Highway and Murree Road, extending from the One Constitution high-rise building to the area near the Bhara Kahu bypass. If the convention centre is developed in Malpur, it would align with that proposed downtown scheme. However, after a conceptual paper and discussions last year, the downtown project was shelved. Sources in the CDA said the authority already possessed more than 90pc of the land for that scheme.