The government has taken possession of One Constitution Avenue in Islamabad. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the development during a press conference. He also announced plans to convert the building into a five-star hotel within the next few months.
Naqvi said the federal cabinet had approved the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report concerning the property. He explained that the government would ensure everyone received their rightful payments. The decision follows an investigation into alleged encroachment on state-owned land in the capital.
The interior minister said government land had been occupied due to the involvement of certain individuals within the Capital Development Authority (CDA). He stressed that the authorities would take action against those responsible. He also confirmed that the Prime Minister had provided full support for the operation.
Regarding the future of One Constitution Avenue, Naqvi said the government would arrange an independent valuation of the property. A multinational company would assess the building’s value before the hotel project moves forward. He explained that the government does not have the capacity to operate a hotel itself.
Therefore, the government plans to involve an appropriate private-sector operator. The proposed conversion aims to turn the property into a five-star hotel. However, further details about the project’s management and implementation have not been announced.
Naqvi also reiterated the government’s commitment to recovering illegally occupied state land. He said no one would receive special treatment during anti-encroachment operations. The recovery campaign is also underway in Islamabad’s sectors C-14, C-15 and C-16.
He acknowledged that authorities often face pressure during such operations. However, he praised the CDA chairman for carrying out the action despite these challenges. He added that the government had fully supported the authority.
The minister said the objective was not simply to launch anti-encroachment operations. Instead, the government wanted to ensure that every action reached its proper conclusion. He maintained that the recovery of public land would continue without discrimination.
During the press conference, Naqvi also addressed questions about the size of his personal staff. He said his team included one Chief Security Officer, one Personal Staff Officer and one director.
He compared this arrangement with former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar’s staff structure. According to Naqvi, Chaudhry Nisar had six Personal Staff Officers during his tenure.
The interior minister also urged people to verify information before believing social media reports. He said he would accept a list of 28 staff members if presented with one. His remarks came amid questions surrounding claims about his official staff.
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The government is now expected to proceed with the valuation and planning process for One Constitution Avenue. The proposed hotel conversion remains part of its broader efforts to address the property’s status and recover state assets.
