Authorities have decided to vacate the One Constitution Avenue building on Constitution Highway after legal developments over the cancellation of its lease.
According to sources, police issued orders last night to vacate the building, which also reportedly contains flats owned by important political figures and bureaucrats.
Orders were issued by police last night to vacate the One Constitution Avenue building in Islamabad. The building is located on Constitution Highway, one of the capital’s most high-profile areas.
Sources said flats in the building are also owned by influential political figures and bureaucrats.
In 2005, the Capital Development Authority had given 13 acres of land to a company on a 99-year lease for the construction of a luxury hotel.
According to Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the plot was auctioned in 2005. He said three major companies had leased One Constitution Avenue to build a hotel, while the BNP Group consortium had taken the lease.
Islamabad High Court upholds CDA decision
The Islamabad High Court upheld the CDA’s decision to cancel the lease of the building. The court also dismissed petitions filed against the cancellation of the lease.
Chaudhry said the CDA had cancelled the lease agreement in 2016 and taken control of One Constitution Avenue.
PM forms committee to review matter
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a committee to review the One Constitution Avenue issue. The committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the Secretary Cabinet and the Commerce Secretary will be members of the committee.
The committee will review the matter and submit a comprehensive report to the prime minister within one week. Officials said any affected person in the matter will be allowed to present objections before the committee.
The committee will hear the parties and affected persons without discrimination.
No action until final decision, says Talal
Talal Chaudhry said no action will be taken until the final decision. He said the state had not been able to establish its writ in 20 years.
“Whether rich or poor, everyone will be treated the same,” he said. Talal Chaudhry added that the government is working to eliminate encroachments without discrimination.
Chaudhry said the company that leased One Constitution Avenue violated the law. He said no one in the country is above the law.
According to the minister, a loan was taken from the Bank of Punjab on the basis of the plot.
Chaudhry said the group defaulted after failing to pay bank installments. He added that the BNP Group was summoned by NAB over the default.
The minister said the land in the Red Zone was leased at Rs70,000 per square foot.
Talal Chaudhry said a controversial decision was given in 2019, which remains controversial to this day. He said the case of the BNP Group was heard under the leadership of former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar.
The minister also said the CDA already has possession of One Constitution Avenue.
Talal Chaudhry said the building is already vacant and no one is taking it. He added that the property is spread over 13 acres and is worth between Rs200 billion and Rs250 billion.
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