Millennium Heights
True to it's name, Millennium Heights has perks that take housing to new heights. The apartments are 'fully loaded' and exquisitely finished.

SALIENT FEATURES Three side open corner plot
Luxurious residential apartments of two, three and four bedrooms
Large parking area in its basement earmarked for every occupant separately
Exclusive fast moving imported lifts
Cargo lifts for movements furniture and household goods
Electronically controlled fire alarm system
Aluminium window along with tinted glasses
Solid deodar wooden doors
As if strength, substances and stability weren't enough, J & M Associates is also providing exquisite quality polished furnished marble in entrance / drawing / dining / lounge in attractive coloured textures
Best quality glazed tiles in the bath rooms
24-hour water supply through the project water source in addition to CDA water connection
Centrally linked Cable / Satellite TV
Green lawns, beautiful paved walkways to add to the beauty of the apartments
Adjacent to the CDA park to F-11
Four sided compound Iron grill for security purposes
Guaranteed completion / handing over of flats with in due times
No increase in price
A-class electric fitting
Necessary fire escapes
As a standard, featured with best split unit air conditions in bedrooms and smoke exhaust hoods, best quality local cooking range, separate independent entrance


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ISLAMABAD, 25 MARCH: Maxcorp Development Sdn Bhd is leading a consortium of Malaysian companies to design, build and manage the RM3.2 billion Bahria Golf City at Muree Expressway in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Besides Maxcorp, the Malaysian consortium comprises Ranhill Bersekutu Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ranhill Bhd, which will offer its expertise in total engineering solutions, and Akitek Jururancang Malaysia (master planning and design).

Pakistan-based Bahria Town (Pvt) Ltd is the developer of the project while Pakistan-based Mansoor Mazhar and Associates is the architect.

The Malaysian consortium and Bahria Town (Pvt) Ltd signed an agreement on the project in Kuala Lumpur yesterday

The two-year project involves the development of 323.7ha at Murree Expressway. A total of 1,700 bungalows, a hotel, apartments, schools, a hospital, a commercial centre and an 18-hole golf course with a clubhouse will be built there.

Backed by strong house purchasing power in Pakistan, project returns are expected to be between US$10 billion and US$12 billion (US1 = RM3.80).

The project is also said to be the largest private sector initiative in real estate in Pakistan.

Maxcorp’s chief executive officer Anuar Adam, however, remained tight-lipped when asked on the source of funding for the massive project.

Ranhill Bersekutu and Akitek Jururancang will be paid RM50 million each in professional fees.

“The funding is being worked out. It is not a small amount. A lot of legal expertise and framework are being worked out between the Pakistan Government and Maxcorp,” he said after the signing.

Anuar said Maxcorp has no plans to float its shares on Bursa Malaysia Bhd for project funding, as it will be self-financed.

Maxcorp has been involved in projects in Pakistan since 1999 and has successfully completed the Royal Palm Golf Course in Lahore. Its current projects include DA Country and Golf Club in Karachi, Jacaranda Club for Defence Housing in Islamabad and Mangla View Resort.

The total investment value for the three projects is RM1 billion.

Meanwhile, Bahria Town chairman Malik Riaz Hussain is inviting more Malaysian companies to undertake development projects in Pakistan.

Bahria Town, which is said to be the single largest developer in Pakistan, has four other projects in the pipeline. They are Bahria Lake City in Lahore; Bahria Margalla City, Bahria University and Bahria Twin Towers in Islamabad. The total project value is about US$35 billion.

“Based on our track record and the severe shortage of houses in Pakistan, we are convinced that Bahria Golf City will be a success,” Malik said.

In his last property launch, Malik collected US$800 million in the first five hours of the launch, and expects the same for its subsequent development projects.

“There is demand for about 700,000 houses a year, but the Government and private sector can only manage to churn out about 300,000. This is why I am so confident,” Malik said.

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTimes/Friday/BlueColumn/20050324234417/Article/

allready posted.

Mod please close/delete

ISLAMABAD, Dec 27: United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan announced $50 million for the construction of a modern hospital in Islamabad. A statement issued by the UAE ambassador Ali Mohammad Al-Shamsi on Tuesday said the president made the announcement at the conclusion of his talks with President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

He said the hospital would be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and latest design.

Mr Shamsi said the hospital would meet the increasing medical needs of the inhabitants of the capital and the surrounding areas.

The ambassador said this vital project would be carried out in coordination with the Pakistan authorities, and the UAE would supervise all stages of its construction.

The hospital will be named as Sheikh Khalifa Hospital and its construction will start soon, he added.

source:www.dawn.com

Capital cities of all the developed and developing countries don't have skyline. start looking from m'sia to states.

There are many capital cities with skylines for example Tokyo, Paris, Moscow and Manila.

nearly all the capitals have a skyline,

beijing
tokyo
melbourne
jo'berg
london
paris
amstadam
abu dhabi
khula lampur
toronto

the list goes on and on, the only capital which doesnt would be washington.

Bad news is we cant go higher than 50 which is actually good news for me because I want Islamabad to remain green. So bad for you, good for me.

I wanted u to explain ur point how isloo would not remain green with more than 50storeyed building??

In isloo commercial zones have been located already in the materplan inwhich the high rise n low rise building are going to be constructed! In the construction of high risers in the city, no extra green area is being converted over to commercial zones..rite!! If u have a look at the orignal master plan half the area is reserved fer construction n the rest fer parks, forest, greenbelts etc. So in my opinion there shouldnt be a problem goin more than 50!!

^ But they said not to go higher than 50 because of concerns of another earthquake.

nearly all the capitals have a skyline,

beijing
tokyo
melbourne
jo'berg
london
paris
amstadam
abu dhabi
khula lampur
toronto

the list goes on and on, the only capital which doesnt would be washington.


because mostly countries have there same capitals and seaports.and all investments goes in only one city,so they got skylines.however,we have three largest cities Karachi,Lahore and Islamabad/Rawalpindi.Due to many commercial destinations in our country investment goes different locations and we cannot got skyline in our country.

nearly all the capitals have a skyline,

beijing
tokyo
melbourne
jo'berg
london
paris
amstadam
abu dhabi
khula lampur
toronto

the list goes on and on, the only capital which doesnt would be washington.


toronto is not a capital neither are melbourne, jo'berg, or Kuala Lumpur (its canberra, pretoria, and putrajaya respectively), ottawa is canada's capital and has a small skyline.

{btw beijing, toronto, paris are not port cities.}

I think ur theory about capitals is not really true. skylines tend to be bigger in commercial and population centers, and in some cases they are also capitals. and since isloo is not a commrcial center it has a small skyline, plus the restrictions on height were also a road block

How many planned capital cities have tall skyscrapers? I dont think many skyscrapers exist in DC, Canberra, or Brasilia.

ISLAMABAD - March 8, 2006: The arcitectural design of the Islamabad boxing gymnasium.

http://dawn.com/2006/03/09/SlideShow/pic13.jpg

^^^^
looks very cheap to me!!

^^ Yeah crappy rendering.

Hope they change the design and get rid of that awful pale green colour. Looks like ulti.

I can't see any creativity or imagination put into the building.

PM opens Islamabad dry port




By Our Reporter

ISLAMABAD, Mar 16: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday formally inaugurated the Islamabad Dry Port (IDP) to handle import and export consignments to and from upcountry areas.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the prime minister said the IDP would also be helpful in enhancing the delivery of the building materials needed for reconstruction of the quake- affected areas of Azad Kashmir and the NWFP.

Work on the dry port had started four years ago. It was completed recently and put to operation to handle containers, particularly those destined to northern areas.

Mr Aziz said the IDP would also facilitate the flow of goods from Karachi to Islamabad and help expedite the export goods to Karachi.

He appreciated the cooperation and efforts of Pakistan Railways, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) in implementing the IDP project. He was confident the IDP would prove to be a hub of economic activities in the northern Pakistan.

The prime minister said the logistic chain of the country, including roads, railway and ports, should be of world class standards to boost trade and economic activities. The government has been working on projects to improve the logistic chain to provide prompt and efficient transport facilities for goods movement.

Shaukat Aziz said rapid economic growth had caused a shortage of skilled persons in the country and added that the government had prepared a plan to train people in skills to bridge the gap.

Strong and sustained economic growth over the last several years was underpinned by the government’s economic philosophy of deregulation, liberalization and privatization, and truly home grown, wide-ranging and deep structural reforms, he reminded.

The prime minister said continuity, consistency and transparency in his government’s policies had increased domestic demand, regained private sector’s confidence and improved fiscal discipline.

Pakistan has been included among the top 10 countries for structural reforms success in the region, he said.

Also Pakistan’s credibility in the world has increased due to the success of its structural reforms, he said and added that Moodys improved Pakistan’s rating on Wednesday.

Referring to improvement in the road network, the prime minister said the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway project would be completed by next year, providing a prompt and efficient road link between northern and southern parts of the country.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/17/nat1.htm

ISLAMABAD, March 20: The Capital Development Authority has approved a plan to develop the existing Islamabad Zoo into the country’s biggest zoological park.
Director Zoo Raja Mohammad Javed said the zoo area would be extended from the present 25 acres to 90 acres.

He said work on the project would start in May and would be completed in three years. The zoo will have more than 100 species of animals and 50 of birds.

The director said the wildlife department of Dubai had agreed to provide various species of animals and birds for the zoo. Other countries including Holland, Germany and Australia will also help acquire rare species on exchange or donation basis, he added.

Mr Javed said the upgraded zoo would also have a new veterinary hospital equipped with X-ray and ECG facilities as well as a modern laboratory.

He said an administration block would be constructed in order to have all the offices at one place.

More than 100 additional staff members including veterinary doctors and professionals will also be recruited.

He said the upgraded zoo would also have an information centre to provide details about the species of animals and birds.

The director said a monorail would be run for the convenience of visitors.

Under the plan, animal shelters will be improved, besides the development of waterfalls and scenic spots, he added.

He said the number of stalls inside the zoo would be increased and these would be made attractive, enabling the Capital Development Authority to generate more funds for upkeep of the zoo.

Currently more than 264,000 people including 155,000 children visit the zoo annually and the authority earns Rs2.8 million from sale of admission tickets.—APP

islamabad, march 20: the capital development authority has approved a plan to develop the existing islamabad zoo into the country’s biggest zoological park. director zoo raja mohammad javed said the zoo area would be extended from the present 25 acres to 90 acres. he said work on the project would start in may and would be completed in three years. the zoo will have more than 100 species of animals and 50 of birds. the director said the wildlife department of dubai had agreed to provide various species of animals and birds for the zoo. other countries including holland, germany and australia will also help acquire rare species on exchange or donation basis, he added. mr javed said the upgraded zoo would also have a new veterinary hospital equipped with x-ray and ecg facilities as well as a modern laboratory. he said an administration block would be constructed in order to have all the offices at one place. more than 100 additional staff members including veterinary doctors and profession- als will also be recruited. he said the upgraded zoo would also have an information centre to provide details about the species of animals and birds. the director said a monorail would be run for the convenience of visitors. under the plan, animal shelters will be improved, besides the development of water- falls and scenic spots, he added. he said the number of stalls inside the zoo would be increased and these would be made attractive, enabling the capital development authority to generate more funds for upkeep of the zoo. currently more than 264,000 people including 155,000 children visit the zoo annu- ally and the authority earns rs2.8 million from sale of admission tickets.—app

GRAND HYATT,Islamabad

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Online,International News Network
ISLAMABAD: Underlining the steps being taken by the government to leverage the true tourism potential of Pakistan, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that government is encouraging the hotel industry in Pakistan to ease out the residential problems of tourists, investors and other visitors.

The Prime Minister was chairing a meeting about the establishment of Grand Hyatt Islamabad by a private sector company here on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan due to its landscape, historical and cultural background has great tourism potential. Also it has places like Taxilla, Takht Bai, Punja Sahib, Nankana Sahib which are the cradles of Buddist and Sikh civilizations.

However, due to lack of adequate facilities the religious tourism potential remains under utilized. The government is trying to package the facilities for the comfort of all kinds of tourists, said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan due to its geographical location is the natural hub for Western and Central Asian Countries. He said as a result of the increased interest of investors in Pakistan also, there is acute shortage of hotel rooms and the problem will be further intensified after the construction of new Islamabad Airport and the initiation of their services to Islamabad by more Airlines. The government, therefore, will facilitate the construction of hotels in Islamabad, said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister was informed that B&P Group is coordinating the Grand Hayyat hotel, Islamabad which will be the first Grand Hyatt, hotel of Pakistan. The construction of this hotel, which will be located near convention Centre, Islamabad will be initiated in September this year and it will be completed in three years.

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=403031&currPageNo=3&query=&search=&term=&supDate= (http://)

Islamabad Media Tower construction to start soon
ISLAMABAD (March 26 2006): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Saturday said work on construction of 26-storey Islamabad Media Tower and Pakistan Television Centre at Multan would be started soon.
The minister stated this while presiding over a briefing to review progress on various projects being undertaken by the sub-ordinate offices of the Ministry of Information.

The projects include Islamabad Media Tower, Direct-to-Home service, setting up of PTV Centre Multan and re-strengthening of Sindhi and Arabic services by Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

Secretary Information and Broadcasting Shahid Rafi, Additional Secretary of the Ministry Ahsan Yusaf, Managing Director PTV Arshad Khan, Managing Director APP Fazal-ur-Rehman Malik, and Director General Internal Publicity Wing Chaudhry Rashid Ahmed were present in the briefing.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmed directed the Managing Director PTV to immediately start work on setting up of PTV Centre Multan without any delay.

He said this step will go a long way in providing direct access for the people of the southern part of Punjab and adjoining areas to information besides providing an opportunity to the talented people of the area at their door step.

He said Islamabad Media Tower would help promote electronic media activity by providing various facilities to the electronic channels under one roof.

The minister was apprised that the world class smart building of Media Tower having a total covered area of 205,000 square feet would be constructed at a specified plot in the Blue Area. The design and other architectural formalities for the building have already been completed while other necessary formalities would soon be finalised, he was told.
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed advised the concerned quarters to start the DTH service as soon as possible, thus providing a bouquet of around 50 channels to the viewers under this service.

He appreciated the work of APP with special regard to English, Urdu and photo services of the organisation. He also recommended various development projects for APP with the aim to improve Sindhi, and Arabic services of the news agency.

The minister directed that the country's premier news agency should undertake extensive news exchange programmes with the news agencies of the other countries.

Secretary Information informed the minister that Italy has shown keen interest in the news exchange programme with Pakistan and soon an agreement in this behalf would be reached.


Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2006

which restaurant is this....luks beautiful!!!

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Islamabad, PAKISTAN: Pakistani workers clean mirrorred glass on the exterior of a newly opened restaurant in Islamabad, 27 March 2006. Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said, owing to the government's economic reforms measures and better management and policies, the country realized a record economic growth last year and now we are targeting to keep this growth between 6 per cent to 8 per cent during the next five years.

FORTUNE PLAZA
G-7 BLUE AREA
JINNAH AVENUE

UNDERCONSTRUCTION PIX NOV 2005
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techno can u please take pictures of f-11 markaz and the surrounding areas ?

Techno bhai is da man when it comes to pics! Keep up the good work.

Asfar bhai.....the thing is that i have told u.....i go to isloo fer a day or two n f-11 is very far away from my home so its not easy accessible until i have time in the morn and car.....im aware of those project n a few more in its surrounding......
u hafto wait a little more fer that....in summers i will take good coverage of isloo n lahore.....so keep ur fingers crossed untill then....
sorry u have been requesting for such a long time......but im short of time cauz of my studies so i hafto make a very brief trip to my hometown......! i hope u get my point :P

PM inaugurates dry port in Islambad

ISLAMABAD, Mar 17 : Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has inaugurated a dry port established at the Margallah Railway Station of Islamabad.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister termed it as a turning point for industry and trade in the area of Rawalpindi-Islamabad and around.

He said the dry port would facilitate flow of goods coming from overseas through the ports of Karachi to Islamabad-Rawalpindi and goods meant for export from this area. He also expressed satisfaction that already goods and material meant for reconstruction of the quake affected areas in Azad Kashmir have started arriving at the Islamabad dry port.

The Prime Minister said more flights are now coming to Islamabad while design work for new international airport of the capital is underway. “On completion of this modern airport and establishment of motorway and highway linkages would make Islamabad hub of economic activity for northern Pakistan and Afghanistan”.

The Prime Minister said the Government is striving to set up an efficient and integrated logistic chain to meet needs of the fast growing economy.

He said the Government has approved procurement of 600 flat wagons for Pakistan Railways at a cost of five billion rupees to facilitate movement of goods in the country.

The Prime Minister said with the anticipated growth of 6 to 8%, Pakistan's economy is set to be transformed completely in about ten years. He said a strong foundation for rapid economic growth has been laid and this is acknowledged by the world. Only yesterday, the renowned credit rating comply Moody upgraded Pakistan's credit rating while a recent survey ranked the country as one of the top ten in the world for structural reforms. “This shows that we are going in the right direction”.

Mr. Shaukat Aziz also referred to the growing interest of investors in Pakistan and said PTCL deal with Etisalat of UAE has been finalized and first installment of 1.44 billion dollars would be received within a week. He was confident that the induction of new professional management would help improve telecommunication sector and bring down tariffs.


The Prime Minister said production of one million split air conditioners this year, two million television sets and presence of 24 million cellular phones speak volume about growth of the economy and financial health of the middle-class. Poverty and unemployment rates have also come down but much needs to be done to ensure that fruits of progress reach to the common man.

Mr. Shaukat Aziz urged the business community to focus on competitiveness, productivity, quality and efficiency to compete in the world market. He said we should change our way in the world of globalization.

The Prime Minister told the audience that increase in import figures is not worrisome as industrial plants and machinery is coming to Pakistan which would help accelerate economic growth. He said the Government has enough resources and credit standing to raise funds when needed.

Minister of State for Railways Ishaque Khan Khakwani said the ECNEC has approved three projects worth 24 billion rupees for improvement and modernization of the railways.


He said Multan dry port is being managed by a private trust and said similar arrangements are being worked out for the Lahore dry port.


President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ch. Muhammad Saeed hoped that establishment of dry port in Islamabad would not only help increase exports from the area but also contribute towards overall increase in the country's exports.


In his address of welcome, President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Abdul Rauf demanded handing over of the management of the dry port to the private sector. He thanked the Government for granting approval for a new industrial estate in I-17 sector of the Capital as the existing I-9 sector has reached its saturation point. He also demanded permanent representation of the chamber in CDA board.

Hi all,
gr8 forum ,well run by some quite up-to-date guys(and maybe girls too).
Can anyone tell me which is the first real skyscraper that would finish in Pak( i mean skyscraper like 35F+ not meagre <30F's).

^^^Well I'll tell you the names and you can look at their renders in their own threads.
The Atkins Hotel, 35F Islamabad
Port Tower Complex, Karachi 1400 ft
Two Twins on Chundrigar Road Karachi, 60F each
Sheikh Zayed Center, Lahore (I think its 60F)
Nespak building Lahore, 50F
LDA Building Lahore 45F
Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore 50F
Lahore Expo Center, 60F
Dolmen City Office Karachi, 60F
UBL Tower Karachi, 110m
Marriot Business Park Gwadar ?F
Bahria Twin Towers, Islamabad 38F each

There might be more since these are all that I can remember off the top of my head.

Pakistan gets its first DNA testing lab




By Our Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD, March 31: Pakistan established its first DNA test laboratory in Islamabad on Friday with the assistance of China to investigate complicated terrorism and criminal cases.

Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said at the inaugural ceremony at the city’s Sitara Market that the government was committed to make DNA technology a routine part of the investigations to enhance the ability of the criminal justice system in tracking down terrorists and criminals.

The DNA laboratory has been established by the National Police Bureau under its National Forensic Science Programme (NFSP) at a cost of Rs8 million. The government of China provided the technology and equipment for the laboratory.

It has facilities for testing cases related to microbiology, ballistics and explosives, chemical examination and toxicology.

“The establishment of DNA lab is a major step in the on- going efforts of the ministry of interior to better equip the police and law enforcement agencies in their fight against crime, terrorism and public disorder,” the minister said.

He said: “DNA technology is potentially the most remarkable crime-fighting tool of the 21st century.”

In recent years, the scientific advances have served to stimulate a greater public awareness and use of DNA evidence in civil and criminal proceedings.

The Institute of Forensic Sciences, Ministry of Public Security of China has trained two of Pakistani scientists in the latest DNA technology.

“This cooperation is yet another gesture of the friendship between Pakistan and the Peoples Republic of China,” he added, looking forward to continuing cooperation and support in future endeavours.

Interior secretary Syed Kamal Shah said the use of forensic DNA technology to associate individuals with crimes has produced a revolution in the way crimes were solved.

The forensic DNA, he said, had the ability to conclusively eliminate or implicate an individual as the perpetrator of a crime even when the suspect is unknown to the victim. Before the DNA testing facility, tracking crimes such as sexual assaults committed by a stranger were very difficult, if not impossible to solve, said the interior secretary.

He said the DNA laboratory has been established by the National Police Bureau as part of the National Forensic Science Project, which seeks to have state-of-art forensic facilities at Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta.

He said forensic science was the new frontier for law enforcement, and the DNA laboratory would be a pioneer in providing quality forensic services.

Mr Shah said DNA laboratory was the most important part of the planned forensic capacity building effort and will significantly enhance law enforcement capability to use DNA technology in diverse areas such as detection of serious crimes, determination of paternity, identification in mass disasters, missing person investigations, even historic and archeological research.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/01/nat5.htm

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LAHORE - March 30, 2006: A view of the under-construction boxing gymnasium.—Dawn

Beautification of 5 Major Capital Roads
March 23, 2006

The Capital Development Authority has completed the work of landscaping and growing flower beds along five major roads in the Capital. The beautification process has been undertaken at a cost Rs 16 million along National Park Road, Margalla Road, Islamabad Highway, Jinnah Avenue and Constitution Avenue, CDA Director Environment Iftikhar Awan said Tuesday.
He said the flower beds include cherry, pansy, parsley, flax, and other ornamental varieties of bright and brilliant colors. The urban and rural divisions of the Environment Directorate have been asked to grow as many seasonal plants and flowers as possible in every part of the Capital, he said.



CDA has been conducting tree plantation drive twice a year during spring and monsoon. An additional plantation campaign will also be carried out in July every year, Awan said. Around 400,000 saplings will be planted in the urban and rural areas of the capital in coming July, the official said.
Awan said saplings would be planted in the developed sectors, Margallah Hills, along the main roads and highways and rural areas. He said the up-gradation of CDA nursery was also being undertaken for which horticulture experts and skilled people had been recruited.
The Authority takes every care to avoid cutting trees as far as possible in the on-going projects like the construction of cultural complex at Shakarparian, development of tourist village at Saidpur and Ankara Park at Rawal Lake and construction of a club in sector F-10, he said.
As spring can be a very disturbing season for many residents vulnerable to allergy in the peak pollen season, a number of steps are being taken to remove the paper mulberry trees believed to be villain, the official said.
Paper mulberry was introduced in Islamabad some 30 years ago to make the capital green, but it became a highly invasive species in the natural ecosystem of Himalayan foothills, he said. The Authority was fast removing these trees as large number of people are affected by pollen allergy in both Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the official said. To make up for the consequent deficiency the Authority is planting varieties that do not cause allergy, he said.--APP

club in f-10??? is like a club club or like the islamabad club

Sunday, April 02, 2006

New CDA complex in next financial year

By Shahzad Raza

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) will initiate work on the CDA complex in the next financial year, CDA Chairman Kamran Lashari told Daily Times.

The complex, to be constructed in front of Zarai Taraqiyati Bank Limited (ZTBL), would accommodate all CDA directorates except the CDA complaint offices. Recently, the CDA held a competition and approved a design for the CDA complex. The chairman said that a detailed feasibility report was being prepared to start the project in the next financial year.

Plans to relocate CDA offices into a new building was decided several years ago, but was delayed because of financial constraints.

Initially, the plan was to build two new buildings but it was later decided to build a CDA complex to accommodate all CDA offices.

The chairman said that architects were asked to prepare a detailed design to ascertain the estimated cost of the project. “Preparation of the PC-1 will take around three to four months,” he added. Lashari said the CDA would try to complete the complex within three years. CDA sources told Daily Times that the need for a new CDA building arose after two of its office blocks were handed over to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

A couple of years ago the CDA had sold blocks No six and eight to the ISI for Rs 140 million. The two blocks and the adjacent area comprised at least one fourth of the total area of the CDA offices.

Since selling off the two blocks, the CDA had been facing immense difficulties in accommodating officials of the Audit & Accounts Directorate, Water Supply and Maintenance Directorates and Services Wing. Consequently, these directorates were shifted to the building of the old Naval Headquarters. Sources said the intelligence agency had also objected to the influx of daily visitors to the CDA’s offices. The buildings of ISI and CDA lie adjacent to each other. Originally, the ISI building belonged to the CDA but was handed over to the intelligence agency.

Home | Islamabad

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\04\02\story_2-4-2006_pg11_3

Monday, April 03, 2006

Traffic problems signal CDA inefficiency

By Shahzad Malik

ISLAMABAD: Traffic problems in the federal capital are rising steadily and even the newly introduced Model Traffic Police has not been able to resolve the problem.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) had announced funding for the ‘Urban Traffic Control System’ to regulate traffic in the city but residents of Islamabad are still waiting for the new facility.

When implemented, the system would enable police to assess where traffic was most congested and then adjust the traffic signals to smooth out the rush.

According to a survey conducted by the traffic police and Association of Road Users Protection, more than one million vehicles entered the federal capital daily and traffic signals currently installed in the city are insufficient to deal with the traffic load.

Sultan Azam Tamuri, the Model Traffic Police senior superintendent, told Daily Times that the National Bank of Pakistan had agreed to release Rs two million to install the equipment for the traffic control system at Zero Point and Kulsoom Plaza, which are two of the busiest intersections in the city where traffic jams are a regular feature particularly during office hours.

He said the CDA was responsible for installing the new system and the traffic police had identified 12 places where traffic was most congested. He said the CDA had claimed that the system would be set up within two weeks but work on it had yet to start.

Home | Islamabad

Monday, April 03, 2006

CDA’s plan to modernise Blue Area gets poor response

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Commercial plaza owners in Blue Area have given a rather poor response to the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) plan to renovate old buildings. Under the programme, the exterior of the buildings would be altered according to contemporary standards.

A CDA official has told the Daily Times that the authority wanted to renovate the old plazas of Blue Area with the objective to make the city’s main commercial area more appealing, but majority of the plaza owners did not want to spend money on the renovation project. Situated at the most important part of the federal capital, which leads to the constitution avenue that houses buildings such as the Parliament House and the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. Most of the old buildings in Blue Area are considered by many to be unattractive. The CDA official said the designs of the decade-old buildings were approved by the CDA in accordance with the contemporary trends of the time when they were to be constructed. However, he added, with the passage of time, no improvements were made to the buildings’ exteriors and except for some recently built plazas and a few renovated buildings. The entire Blue Area consisted of old-style structures that failed to attract people, he said. He said there was no provision in the CDA’s building by-laws about renovating old buildings to make them more attractive. Although when building plans are approved, they must spend a certain amount on the building’s renovation whenever required. The official said that in developed countries such as the United States, the building laws stated that 50 percent of the cost of every public building was to be spent on an art feature, which could either be in the shape of a mural or sculpture, or some other cultural expression appropriate to the building’s purpose.

Home | Islamabad

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\04\03\story_3-4-2006_pg11_2

^^ they have 2 options either pay or pay, no two way thing about it. why let it get into a bad state in the first place?

addressing the inauguration ceremony of Intercontinental hotel he said domestic and foreign investment has increased due to economic development of the country.

He went on to say that there is shortage of hotel rooms in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad and rooms are not available for guests. Islamabad is an attractive city and serves as gateway for northern areas. Business travelers and business dignitaries come here from across the world. Major conventions and seminars including SAARC are held here.

He noted that hotels demand will rise with the completion of new airport. Construction of the airport will start this year. Its design is being prepared.

He underscored that Gandhara and Budhish civilizations are very close to Islamabad. Following the completion of new airport, flights from across the world will arrive here. Delegations comprising 50 to 300 members accompany the heads of states but no accommodation is available for arranging their stay. They have to face difficulties. Earlier there were two main hotels. Construction of this hotel and Serena -2 hotel will help alleviate our difficulties.

Prime Minister while lauding the performance of CDA under its chairman Kamran Lashari said Lashari has played his role in making CDA an excellent institution.



can someone get RENDERSSSSSS????????

opps forget article
http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=139599

This is the first I've heard of an Intercontinental Hotel being built in Islamabad. Anybody able to shed any further light on this?

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday opposed expansion in the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

He was talking to journalists after the inauguration of construction work on the Intercontinental Hotel. The hotel would be completed by December 31, 2007.

Aziz said that equal opportunities must be provided in the UN to all countries to allow them to express their views on global issues.

Before his departure to New York to chair the UN reforms meeting, the prime minister said that recommendations for UN reforms would be prepared by a panel consisting of 18 world leaders.

He said the recommendations would be prepared after two-day long deliberations on the role of the UN. He added that the recommendations would be submitted for approval in the next session of the UN General Assembly.

He said that UN Secretary General Kofi Anan had entrusted Pakistan with the important task of chairing the panel meeting. He said that during his stay in the United States, he would also meet the UN secretary general, senior government officials and members of the media.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony for the hotel, he said that Islamabad was a gateway to the northern areas and was a popular stopover for people visiting the northern part of the country.

He said the influx of foreigners including heads of states, government officials, businessmen and tourists had increased the demand for hotels in the country.

Aziz said that an international airport would be established in Islamabad. He said the design for the airport had been finalised and the project would be started soon.

The prime minister said the airport would be constructed near the Motorway and would be about 20 minutes drive from the centre of Islamabad. He said because of the small size of the current Islamabad airport, landing rights could not be extended to many foreign carriers.

Aziz said the government wanted to turn Islamabad into a central destination for visitors from all over Asia. He said the Middle East could become a potential market for promoting tourist sites of Pakistan.

He said the Intercontinental project was to be inaugurated last year, but was delayed because he wanted practical work on the project to start immediately after the inauguration.

The prime minister commended the services of Kamran Lashari, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman, for making Islamabad more beautiful and modern.

Bashir Ahmed, the Essem Group chairman, told the participants of the ceremony that the Intercontinental Hotel would be a nine-storey building with three sublevels. He said the project would cost approximately Rs 5 billion. He added that a consortium of National Bank, Allied Bank and United Bank would assist in funding for the project.
daily times april 03,2006

If this u/c hotel is actually a franchise of the international Intercontinental Hotels chain then it will be a huge filip for the Pakistani hotel and tourism industry. Intercontinental Hotels is a true blue chip player in the hotel industry and the Intercontinental brand is synonymous with quality and style.

This was supposed to be Sheraton but they changed the franchise. theres a small model at this link. it will probably be very similar.
"A prestigious 5-star, first ever project, is in hand at Islamabad with collaboration of ITT Sheraton U.S.A. with high class shopping mall. All CDA requirements have been met & Sheraton Essem Hotel drawings have been approved by CDA"
http://www.escorts.com.pk/subcompanies_2.html

PM for more hotel capacity in Capital
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that economic growth and its resilience have resulted in shortage of hotel accommodation in Islamabad as influx of foreign and domestic investors and visitors has increased significantly. He was speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony of Five Star Intercontinental Hotel here Monday. He said country’s economy is growing with fast pace and several Heads of State and Government besides a number of dignitaries and business leaders visit its capital frequently, which needs more accommodation of international quality. Moreover he said Islamabad is the gateway to beautiful northern Pakistan and an entry point for foreigners, which also demands more hotel accommodation. He said we also see it a convention and conference city, which will also have a most modern airport shortly, and arrival of foreign tourists and business will increase manifold. He said near Islamabad there is also cradle of Gandhara and Buddhist civilizations, which attract huge number of tourists from South-East Asia. Mr. Shaukat Aziz said atmosphere in Pakistan is excellent and our vision for Islamabad is to make it hub of economic activities for Central Asia and Afghanistan and it will happen when the new airport becomes operational. He said Islamabad is a most beautiful city of the region which has also tremendous attraction of the tourists from Middle East who want to visit hilly areas of the country but do not come due to lack of infrastructure and sufficient accommodation facility. He said there is dire need of constructing more world class hotels in Islamabad and Pakistan government will provide maximum support to the investors in this industry as we want to see Islamabad as the most attractive city. However he said that we need genuine investors to build hotels and infrastructure in Islamabad, which can accommodate maximum number of people. In his welcome address, Chairman of ESCORT Group of Companies and chain of ESSEM (SM) Hotels, Mr. Bashir Ahmad highlighted the salient features of the Intercontinental hotel. He said that the nine-storey hotel having three hundred rooms would be completed by the end of next year at a cost of five billion rupees. He said the group has purchased the land for hotel at a cost of three point five billion rupees. He praised the policies of Pakistan government in economic and social sector and said there is great need of investment in hotel industry in Pakistan to meet the growing economy.

Thanks for the info malpensa.

i didnt get it....the sheraton is not being build.....instead they going fer the Intercontinental hotel....>> the sheraton hotel has been designed many yrs ago by Nayyar Ali Dada.....i wanted to get it clarified over here abt the intercontinental n sheraton hotels......^^^^

http://img417.imageshack.us/img417/8721/hotelisb6gm.jpg

Prime minister seems to have a lot of support. I seen him in so many ads and commercials now its not even funny.

Thanks for posting the ad swerveut.

I have to say, it does still amaze me that leading corporates (or their ad agencies) still can't manage to get the spelling in a short ad correct. Very annoying.

Where is this hotel located?

I have to say, it does still amaze me that leading corporates (or their ad agencies) still can't manage to get the spelling in a short ad correct. Very annoying.

there's a typo in that Ad? I couldn't find one!

I have to say, it does still amaze me that leading corporates (or their ad agencies) still can't manage to get the spelling in a short ad correct. Very annoying.


I couldn't find one either!

Gr8 hotel though, atlast we are having some 5* hotels in isb too. btw where exactly is it going to be built? beside the convention center or blue area?

F-5 near Marriot

isnt it near the convention center .....opposite to serena...
i really dont like the locations they should have built this some where in the blue area extension over at f-8...i mean all 5 star hotels grouped together in a 3 mile radius i dnt thhink is a very creative idea

isnt it near the convention center .....opposite to serena...
i really dont like the locations they should have built this some where in the blue area extension over at f-8...i mean all 5 star hotels grouped together in a 3 mile radius i dnt thhink is a very creative idea


I guess he is right( near marriot) coz the land near convention/serena was bought by a local pakistani group( i think its called BNP), that offer franchise to the US Ritz Carlton and the French Le Méridien hotels..... Besides the hashwani group had also file a petition against CDA for a non transparent auction of the land.

I dont think it is a good idea to have hotel in blue area, coz hotels take up very large land area. Blue area should be for business centres and Highrise buildings. Besides the hotels should be near the govt buildings to have less problems with security later. Remember , whole blue area was closed during SAARC meeting...

btw whole of blue area lies in a 3 km radius :lol

im sure when u open your curtains, like in marriott ,you want a view of the green margalla hills. not no ugly, moldy 1960s plazas with hundred ugly suzuki bolans and FX's.

The new capital city

By Aileen Qaiser


THE Capital Development Authority is out to give Islamabad a new face. Judging by the number of commercial, infrastructural, housing, and sport and recreational projects in the pipeline, the capital city will have a brand new image once these projects are completed within the next few years.

The most exciting commercial project is the multi-storey multi-purpose tower in Blue Area, whose construction process is scheduled to begin this year. With its futuristic eye-catching architectural design (which seems to symbolise the rolling Margalla hills and peaks), the yet-to-be-constructed building is already being dubbed as an icon that would promote and symbolise Islamabad in the same way that the now famous yacht sail design of the Burj Al-Arab, the first seven-star hotel in the world, is recognized around the world as a symbol of Dubai.

Incidentally, this would-be icon of Islamabad has been designed by the same international firm that conceptualised the Burj Al-Arab. The 30-storey building will comprise a 350-bedroom world-class hotel with a panoramic restaurant at the top capturing the views of the capital city and its mountainous skyline, a shopping mall and more than 300 service apartments. The building is said to be designed to sustain earthquakes up to 9.5 on the Richter Scale.

Four more top class hotels are also in the pipeline, viz., Sheraton Hotel in F-5, the Ritz Carlton Hotel and Le Meridian Hotel in the Convention Centre area, and the Al-Faysal Hotel in G-6.

Apart from these hotels, a string of government and private high-rise buildings will also be coming up soon. These include the Islamabad Stock Exchange Tower, the Telecom Tower and the State Life Tower (all three in Blue Area and under construction), Nadra headquarters in G-10 and CDA headquarters in G-8. Other private sector buildings include the Warid Plaza in Blue Area, Fortune Plaza in G-8/F-8, Telenor Plaza (completed) and Ammar Shopping Mall (near completion), the last two located in Jinnah Supermarket.

The tragic Margalla Towers episode notwithstanding, Islamabad’s skyline is poised to be dominated by many more multi- storey residential buildings, concentrated particularly in F-11 sector. Some of the residential buildings that are coming up or already up include Al-Rizwan Towers, Al-Mustafa Towers Valley Apartments, Crystal Courts, Park Avenue, Al-Safa Heights, Millennium Heights and Abu Dhabi Heights.

Never has Islamabad seen so much developmental activity since its establishment. Several major infrastructural projects have already been completed in the past two years. These involve mostly road construction, e.g., widening of Islamabad Highway into six lanes, dualization of Margalla Road, construction of 2nd Avenue linking Murree Road with Quaid-i-Azam University, and the extension of Constitution Avenue connecting it with Margalla Road in F-5.

The new-uniformed Islamabad Traffic Police plus the new blue-and-white-coloured road and street signs are already giving the capital a fresh new look. The standardized and improved signs are more useful for road users. For example, in the residential sectors the new street signs now indicate access to other street numbers or that the street is a no-through road. Many street signs also indicate the house numbers located in particular streets.

Many more ambitious road projects are underway or being planned. These include the Zero Point flyover, the three underpasses at Jinnah Avenue, the service road in sectors I-14 and I-15, the dualization of all service roads around each sector, Tarnol Interchange, Tarnol-Fateh Jang Road dualization, the Kashmir Highway extension (Motorway to the proposed new airport), Islamabad-Murree dual carriageway, the Ring Road project connecting Rawat to I-14, and the Pirwadhai-Faizabad Highway (the last four are under construction).

In addition to these infrastructural and commercial projects, a number of sports and recreational projects are also being executed or planned, the most prominent of which are the redevelopment of F-9 Fatima Jinnah Park, Rawal Dam area and Argentina Park; the establishment of a cultural complex at Shakarparian Hills and an Art and Craft Tourist Village at Saidpur; and the completion of the National Art Gallery. Meanwhile, some redevelopment of Pir Sohawa Point and Daman-e-Koh on the Margalla Hills as well as of Jinnah Supermarket, F-6 Supermarket and Melody Food Park have already taken place.

The road to development has not been a completely smooth-sailing one for CDA, which has been facing resistance in some of its road widening projects. CDA has tried to tackle this resistance by offering alternative places for affected stakeholders. For example, resistance to the widening of 7th and 9th Avenues by the three affected cricket clubs/grounds and a weekly bazaar have been resolved by persuading them to relocate to other nearby grounds which CDA would help to develop and equip with the latest facilities.

Resistance to the widening of a service road in the South Mauve Area from G-8 to G-10 sector also appears to have been resolved as work on widening the road has started recently. Some 38 government offices located along this road (including the Pakistan Post Headquarters, PTCL Headquarters, FIA Headquarters, KRL Hospital, the National Highway Authority and the National Police Foundation) had opposed the widening project because it would affect their car parking facilities across the road opposite their buildings.

However, two prominent development projects which have come under heavy fire, especially from environmentalists, are the Mini Golf Valley project in F-7 and the half-kilometre Margalla Tunnel through the Margalla Hills, which is supposed to link the federal capital with Haripur in NWFP expanding Islamabad in the north. The former project was terminated by a Supreme Court ruling against it two months ago.

While it is easier to develop from scratch on undeveloped grounds, it has been much more difficult to redesign and uplift old and cluttered developed areas, a process known in some countries as urban renewal or urban redevelopment. For example, CDA’s proposal to redevelop the existing Blue Area and give it a facelift has met with resistance from commercial plaza owners who are reluctant to renovate their buildings.

Moreover, CDA’s proposal of banning unwieldy and congested car parking in front of the shops and offices and its plan of establishing five multi-storey parking plazas for Blue Area visitors who will then have to pay for parking, have not exactly been met with enthusiasm either.

Similarly, CDA’s efforts to spruce up the old Aabpara Market, the first market to be established in the capital, by cleaning up encroachments, etc., have not been very successful.

Nevertheless, capital residents are watching the transformation of their city with pride. They are looking forward to the completion of the above mentioned and other mega projects like the new Islamabad International Airport and the new industrial estate at Chakri. To top it all, the capital will also be having the new GHQ in E-sector!

In fact, many feel that development is not progressing fast enough. For example, what is stalling projects such as the Zero Point flyover, the three underpasses on Jinnah Avenue and the dualization of the road from Pirwadhai to Faizabad?

Development, however, is not all concrete and stone. Development also means ensuring the provision of uninterrupted supply of essential utilities like clean water, gas and electricity to all residents of the Federal Capital Territory irrespective of sectors or zones. Annual water rationing and electricity loadshedding/cut-offs are no-nos in any modern city.

Finally, development also means the provision of affordable and qualitative healthcare and housing, as well as the provision of an efficient and reliable public transport service - something which is very much lacking in Islamabad.

Exciting times for Islooites. Let's hope this will spur other major cities to get their acts together. All the concerned authorities need to have the foresight to pull together and work for the betterment of their respective cities.

Too bad Ill be leaving Islamabad for a few years now.

IN 2010 Islamabad will be be a True world class city. until then same old stuff. so be sure to return.

Overall investment environment has improved greatly”

Javed Mahmood chats with Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, Chief Executive of the Pak Gulf Construction (Pvt.) Limited.Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan is young, ambitious and more importantly a patriotic Pakistani who wishes to change the trends in the construction industry and real estate sector. He is the Chief Executive of Pak Gulf Construction (Pvt.) Ltd. and is the joint investor with Al Tamimi Group in the biggest-ever construction project in Pakistan: a state-of-the-art and futuristic complex comprising a five star deluxe hotel, residential apartments, commercial complex and a mega shopping mall. He plans to “Iconize Pakistan” in the 21st Century. He spoke to Money plus and explained in detail his project and the effects it would bring to Pakistan’s economy.
Pak Gulf Construction (Pvt.) Limited (PGCL) is a joint venture of Al Tamimi Group of Saudi Arabia and Sardar Group of Pakistan and is all set to create a new history in Pakistan by constructing state-of-the-art and futuristically high rise buildings in Islamabad. This project comprises of luxury apartments, modern commercial complex, a mega shopping mall and one-of-its-kind in Pakistan, a deluxe five star hotel.
PGCL is undertaking the task of constructing these buildings in the capital city, which undoubtedly will change the whole environment and look of Islamabad’s landscape. Chief Executive of PGCL, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, in a comprehensive talk sounded very optimistic not only about this unique project but also about the future of construction industry in Pakistan in the days to come. He is of the view that Al Tamimi and Sardar Group’s joint investment in Pakistan has come at a very suitable time and will help provide the much needed trends and modern technology to local construction industry.
Although, he boldly admits that Pakistan is still far behind the developed countries regarding construction industry but “in the past years, construction sector has expanded rapidly as government now realizes the importance of construction industry in the national industrial sector,” he said. But he nevertheless forgets to remind us that still a lot needs to be done. When asked what could be the real benefit of this major project, Sardar replied that it will create jobs in great numbers for both the labor and the educated working class and it will also either help reviving or supporting many auxiliary industries.
Giving further details of this multi-million dollar project in Islamabad, he added that the PGCL had acquired the 6.6 acres plot from CDA at Rs. 6.6 billion in an open auction to construct this multi purpose complex. “This is the highest ever bid for this plot size in Pakistan and by doing this, we have already started contributing to the national exchequer,” Sardar said with his shining eyes and smiles.
The project comprises a high rise commercial complex, two apartment towers, a huge shopping complex and a five star deluxe hotel. “People generally call a five star deluxe hotel as a seven star hotel and this will be the second such hotel in the world” Sardar informed Money plus.
The total cost of the project was initially $250 million that has now been increased to $300 million to make the building “absolutely earthquake proof.” Sardar said that the quake was a huge tragedy for the whole country but “we as a nation must learn lesson from the threats that nature poses to us.” True to his nature, he preferred increasing the cost by at least 50 million dollars because “quality of the construction, safety and confidence of our customers can simply be never compromised at any cost,” he vowed.
The project is ideally situated in the middle of Jinnah and Faisal avenues. He believes that the view of the complex would itself be a monument in Islamabad once the building is completed. Thanks to the exciting design features, state of the art recreational and entertainment facilities, high-tech space for offices and apartments offering an exceptional living experience, this project is all set to be the crown of the capital.
When asked how this new project could impact Pakistan’s economy, Sardar replied that the first major benefit would be the opening up of numerous job opportunities while thousands of workers would be involved in the construction process of this project. He explained that once business activities gets underway after completion of project, a lot of educated youths would get lucrative jobs on different positions so that operations of the whole complex could be smoothly run. Replying to another question, Sardar said the construction process of the mega project would take three years to complete and added that all of the involved companies have vast prior experience in project management. “We all are working as a team to implement this idea and expect this project to change the “construction culture” of Islamabad,” he said
Elaborating the project, Sardar said that “our complex will only house credible business groups and multinational companies, and producers and manufacturers of famous brands to start their operations in the shopping mall because quality cannot be compromised.” Many international companies are already in touch and are expected to start their operations as soon as the construction phase is complete “and the people of Islamabad would forget to travel to Dubai for their shopping as quality products would be available locally without traveling abroad.”He said first floor would be only for jewelry shops and quality gold products would be available there. Second and third floors of the building would be fixed for the general retailers and only companies dealing in famous brands would have their outlets. “Ours will be a family environment and we shall make all the sufficient arrangements to protect the consumers from substandard goods at every cost,” he pledged. The fourth floor would be leased to world renowned fast food chains along with playing and recreational facilities of the level of Dubai or any other world class recreational venue.
Good news for the Islamabadites would be that the project will also have a world class cinema inside the shopping mall so that the people could watch Hollywood movies on big screen. “We thought that the people in the capital city must have a cinema house as unfortunately, Islamabad might be the only capital city in the world without a theatre,” he said. To a question, Sardar said that the commercial tower and residential apartments would be 22 and 19 storied each.
“Our five star deluxe hotel has 37 floors and will have all kinds of facilities that a modern hotelier could expect from any hotel in the world. We plan to excel even farther than the expectations of our guests and would not disappoint them,” he said. This hotel will have an annexed helipad where the dignitaries could land directly. An issue that Islamabad has increasingly faced is the car parking. “We will provide the biggest parking space for 2,000 vehicles at any given time and a huge parking will be constructed in the basement,” Sardar said. With such an efficient space management, there will be no traffic jams in or around the project that will be constructed between the two busiest avenues of Islamabad. “We are here to set trends and resolve problems,” Sardar smiled beamingly.
On the questions of addressing the earthquake issues, he said that the people must understand that the loss of life and property occurred because of the poor quality management in the construction of these buildings. “The loss is extremely deplorable and no one can easily forget the sense of loss but it also is a challenge for us and Pak Gulf is not only fully prepared but also is completely equipped to introduce quake-proof building solutions in Pakistan,” he said. His tone exhibits his resolve that “quality and safety can never be compromised.”
He informed that the concept of the high rise buildings is different the world over and more than 50 storied buildings are considered as the high rise. He further added that the earthquake is not the issue; the issue rather is to place the right technology according to the type of the soil where the building would be constructed. “Look at Japan. The Japanese accept quakes as a normal daily routine but they haven’t abandoned constructing high rise buildings. They have made the best and full use of the modern construction technology to keep their buildings safe from the quakes,” he said. “Fear from the quake is not the solution; proper use of technology is,” he suggested.
He said that design was the most important part of any high rise building and it is the factor that protects the tall building during jolts. Keeping recent jolts in view, designs of buildings have been prepared by designers of international repute and that such “high rise building actually swings during jolts but people living in them don’t even feel any sign of earthquake.” He cited several examples of many countries like China, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and USA etc. where high rise buildings are constructed and are earthquake proof.
With the technology being used, this project of PGCL will be capable of sustaining jolts of 9.5-plus Richter scale and “project team has already held a series of meetings with the metrological department, soil experts, nuclear experts, and Pakistan Engineering Council to improve the construction standards.” It is noteworthy that the PGCL has spent around a hefty sum (close to 3 million dollars) for the soil test and all the tests have been conducted in world class laboratories.
Sardar particularly appreciated the tireless efforts of the President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for attracting foreign investment and said that the flow of the foreign money has been immense over the past couple of years. “We have found the government extremely supportive but the government must introduce a one-window operation instead of the investor running around to get necessary permissions etc.,” he suggested. It is up to the authorities to decide, he said, whether to facilitate the foreign investors with one window or letting them waste their time at many places. ”But I am very hopeful and pleased that the overall investment environment has improved manifold,” he commented.
In his message to the readers he said that PGCL was trying to “Iconize Pakistan” and merely constructing a project was not the basic objective. “We wish and ensure the Pakistani nation that our project will become the icon of identity for the whole nation,” he said resolutely. FEB 20 2006 "The Nation " pakistan

These last two articles posted by Waquas 1 and malpensa, really make me wanna visit Islamabad sometime in the future. Great articles!!

Wow!! these are amazing news for isloo. Hoping to visit islamabad in 2007 and would have the oppurtunity to see some of these skyscrapers during their construction. :)

These last two articles posted by Waquas 1 and malpensa, really make me wanna visit Islamabad sometime in the future. Great articles!!
Dont visit it anytime before 2008 or 2009 because before that you wont find much besides long waiting lines on traffic signals.

islamabad is definately moving forward but its youth do not have anything to do. there is no place for them to go socially. Islamabad needs places to entertain the youth

i certainly agree.....need private sector to do something aswell!!

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday gave the go-ahead to development projects worth Rs 8.3 billion in rural and urban areas of the federal capital.

Construction of an underpass at the Kalsoom Plaza will start in May and an amount of Rs 500 million will be spent on it. while the design of the Zero Point interchange will be finalised in June this year.

Development work in D-12 and G-13 sectors would be completed in April 2008 and May 2007, respectively.

The CDA chairman informed the meeting about plans for the construction of new hotels, development of Saidpur as a model village, development of cultural complex at Shakar Purian, renovation of Melody Food Street and expansion of Islamabad Zoo. The Islamabad development package also includes the construction of a sewerage treatment plant and the development of a solid waste management system.

The reviewed plan has been prepared by 'MM McDonald,' which was hired as consultant to do the job over a year back. The draft has been given the final shape following a number of presentations and consultative meetings with various experts in the field of planning and other stakeholders.

The sources said that the consultant in the reviewed plan has proposed opening of new sectors for low-income people, mass transit system for Islamabad and inclusion of model villages in municipal limits of Islamabad. "The plan has been prepared to meet needs of the federal capital till the year 2030, where the population is growing at the rate of 5.19 per cent every year," the sources said. A Greek firm of architects, Doxiadis Associates, drew up the master plan of Islamabad, triangular in shape based on a grid system with its apex towards Margalla Hills.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Aziz inaugurates three new sectors in Islamabad

* Says construction of new airport will begin this year
* 28,000 new housing units in three sectors: Lashari

By Shahzad Raza

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday inaugurated three new sectors in Islamabad and said that construction work of the new Islamabad Airport would be launched in the current year.

Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of sectors I-14, I-15 and I-16, he also directed Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Kamran Lashari to establish two new vegetable markets in Islamabad.

The prime minister said the contract for the architectural design of the new airport would be awarded within the next few weeks. “This will be the most modern airport in the region. We want to convert Islamabad into a hub of international commerce and tourism in the region,” he added.

He said the project of the new airport would be awarded to two contractors, adding that the airport would be linked with the Motorway. He said the city could be popular transit route for tourists given its proximity to the country’s northern areas. He said the three new sectors would provide around 35,000 housing units, which would help solve the housing problems in the federal capital. He said the real estate prices would come down with the new sectors.

He said the new sectors would provide affordable land of five to seven Marlas to the low-income groups. He said the government had abolished the VIP quotas in new sectors of Islamabad.

The prime minister said the launching of new sectors would increase the demand of skilled workers and in order to fill that need the government would launch a programme of skill development relating construction industry.

He said there was only one vegetable market in Islamabad, which supplies fruits and vegetables to both the capital and Rawalpindi. He said the monopoly of one vegetable market must be ended to provide vegetables at affordable rates to the public. He said that more vegetable markets would also be set up in Lahore and Karachi. He said the federal government had approved development projects for Islamabad in which special emphasis would be put on development of roads infrastructure to avoid traffic jams.

He said that 200 vehicles travelled in Islamabad daily, adding that an underpass near Kulsoom Plaza would be built at a cost of Rs 50 million. The prime minister said that Islamabad did not have a cardiac centre and added that the federal government had also approved the construction of a modern cardiac centre within the premises of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

He said the government was encouraging construction of high-rise buildings, adding that the implementation of new building codes would reduce the risk of damage in an earthquake. He asked the CDA to ensure strict implementation of the new building codes.

He said the CDA would be equipped with modern fire fighting equipment to meet the requirements of high-rise buildings. He said the model traffic police system was introduced to streamline traffic in the federal capital. He said the government would strengthen the Monopoly Control Authority and introduce special laws to check hoarding and artificial price increases. Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao said that development work in sector E-11 would be started soon. He added that the plot owners in sector I-14 would be allowed to start construction on one side of the sector within a few months.

He said the government’s recent decision to allow duty free import of cement would help the construction industry. He expressed the hope that sugar prices would also be checked by the government. Kamran Lashari, the CDA chairman, said that Islamabad required 40,000 new housing units. The existing number of houses in Islamabad was 70,000.

He said that each year new the demand for new housing units went up by 5,000 in Islamabad. He said that the shortage of housing units was the main cause of skyrocketing real estate prices.

Lashari said the development work of three new sectors would be completed in two to three years.


http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\04\19\story_19-4-2006_pg11_1

^^^You know...I'm starting get worried about the environment. I hope Islamabad doesnt become a concrete jungle.

Salam,
^^^You know...I'm starting get worried about the environment. I hope Islamabad doesnt become a concrete jungle.

Me too. I hate over-crowded cities. And I am an environmental freak..!

But I would support this development in Islamabad, since it is a development at lower leve. Thousands of poor families of Islamabad would benifit from these sectors (hopefully...!!).

Peace.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/04/20/SlideShow/pic19.jpg
A beautiful pair of flamingoes majestically survey the spring scene in the capital zoo.

^^^^
wut kindov of a progress news is that!!
LOL~!

Please show restraint in what you post in the progress threads.

Original post by ZK:

Islamabad: Grand Hyatt

Online,International News Network
ISLAMABAD: Underlining the steps being taken by the government to leverage the true tourism potential of Pakistan, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that government is encouraging the hotel industry in Pakistan to ease out the residential problems of tourists, investors and other visitors.

The Prime Minister was chairing a meeting about the establishment of Grand Hyatt Islamabad by a private sector company here on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan due to its landscape, historical and cultural background has great tourism potential. Also it has places like Taxilla, Takht Bai, Punja Sahib, Nankana Sahib which are the cradles of Buddist and Sikh civilizations.

However, due to lack of adequate facilities the religious tourism potential remains under utilized. The government is trying to package the facilities for the comfort of all kinds of tourists, said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan due to its geographical location is the natural hub for Western and Central Asian Countries. He said as a result of the increased interest of investors in Pakistan also, there is acute shortage of hotel rooms and the problem will be further intensified after the construction of new Islamabad Airport and the initiation of their services to Islamabad by more Airlines. The government, therefore, will facilitate the construction of hotels in Islamabad, said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister was informed that B&P Group is coordinating the Grand Hayyat hotel, Islamabad which will be the first Grand Hyatt, hotel of Pakistan. The construction of this hotel, which will be located near convention Centre, Islamabad will be initiated in September this year and it will be completed in three years.

Great news. It seems that both Lahore and Islamabad are getting their act together by allowing the construction of direly needed new 5 star hotels. We now need Karachi to get its act together and show some progress regarding the construction of new hotels.

DELETE

Have a look at the link below:
http://www.suhaibandassociates.com/Countryclub.HTM

2 multi-storey parking plazas to be constructed in Blue Area



By Muhammad Anis

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) would construct two multi-storey parking plazas in Blue Area.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the CDA Board presided over by Kamran Lashari. It was attended by CDA members and other senior officials. The sources in the civic body said that the CDA has identified two plots, measuring one acre and 0.7 acre, to be auctioned to private parties for constructing high-rise plazas for car-parking. "The plots will be offered as commercial sites to the shortlisted parties at an open auction," a senior official of the CDA said.

The parking plazas would have three basements plus nine floors. They would also have various other facilities like food outlets so that the bidders evince interest in the project. The two plots would be allotted on lease basis.

The CDA Board also approved the allotment of four plots, measuring 6,666 square yards each, for construction of the Federal Court Complex in Sector G-10 in addition to the under-construction Judicial Complex.

The CDA Board also approved the allotment of two plots, measuring 3,333 square yards each, for construction of the Central Police Office in Sector G-11/1. The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) would also get additional land in Sector I-9 in addition to the existing plot. A plot of 1,555 square yards would be given to the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) in Sector G-8/1. A plot of 3,333 square yards would be given to the Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB) and a plot of 3920 square yards would be allotted to the Regional Training Institute. An official said that the CDA would charge Rs4,500 per square yard as government institution rate for allotment of all these plots in different locations.

Blue Area certainly needs a multi storey car parking and now is the time.....the commercial activities within the Blue Area are booming therefore the parkin space is getting short.

Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\04\30\story_30-4-2006_pg11_1

Islamabad, Gwadar and Multan airports to have latest facilities

RAWALPINDI: The new Islamabad and Gwadar airports will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) shall receive a fleet of new aircrafts as part of the government policy to promote tourism, trade and investment. These measures were announced during two presentations made to President General Pervez Musharraf by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and PIA on Saturday.

Both airports will be fully equipped with the latest facilities at all terminals, runways and parking bays. Other allied facilities and services such as communication equipment and infrastructure shall also be up dated, APP reported.

Meanwhile, the Multan Airport will be modernised at an estimated cost of Rs 2.5 billion with a new terminal and cold storage and cargo facilities. The airport, once refurbished will be able to receive large passenger aircrafts. “The design of the new Islamabad airport will be finalised by mid-May while construction work is expected to commence by the end of the year,” Pervez Nawaz, director general of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), told journalists after the presentations.

The new Islamabad international airport will be built according to international standards. The airport is expected to take three years for completion with an estimated cost of Rs 18 billion.

The CAA is expected to secure the possession of land for the new Rs 3 billion Gwadar airport by the middle of next month. The authority has invited international companies to submit designs for the new airport.

According to the CAA director general, the Gwadar airport will have an open sky policy in the beginning aimed at attracting foreign investors and tourists. PIA Chairman Tariq Kirmani, in his presentation, said that the national flag carrier had shown remarkable improvement in its performance and revenues in the last few years.

Staff report adds: Pervez Nawaz on Saturday informed President General Pervez Musharraf that the design of the new Islamabad airport would be finalised by mid-May, while construction work was expected to get underway by the end of this year.

“The new Islamabad international airport will have the best international standards. It will be completed within three years at the estimated cost of Rs 18 billion,” Nawaz said.

In his remarks, president General Pervez Musharraf emphasised that all stakeholders including passengers, employees and shareholders should benefit from the improvement in PIA’s performance. He directed the PIA to further improve its efficiency and services to make it more competitive and profitable. The president urged the PIA management to raise the standard of services offered to passengers in order to capture a greater market share.

He also urged PIA as well as the Ministry of Religious Affairs to offer better facilities to Haj pilgrims. The president said that facilities offered at the airports must be of international standards to ensure efficient handling of growing domestic and international traffic.

President Musharraf said the new airports should be based on futuristic designs and equipped with the latest technology to boost tourism and trade. Tariq Kirmani said PIA had increased its revenues by 11 percent.

ISLAMABAD, April 29: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is establishing a citizens club, four community sports centers and a ladies club in different areas of the capital costing billions of rupees, a senior official in the authority told Dawn on Thursday.
The official said the basic idea behind establishment of the clubs to be run by private firms was to provide better recreational facilities to the people.
The designing and PCs-I of the clubs and community centers have been finalized and work on the projects will start in a couple of days, he said.
The authority would shortly send PCs-I to the Central Development Working Party for approval and invite national and international firms to come up with their plans. The CDA would provide land for the clubs and community centers to be run by private firms. “A management committee would also be formed for framing policy on the clubs, while the firm would manage their day to day affairs,” he said.
CITIZENS CLUB: The authority has allocated 41 acres in Sector H11 for the citizens club. “The club is being established on the pattern of Islamabad Club but the new one would be far better and modern than the existing one,” he added.
Responding to a question about the cost of the club, he said Rs500 million would be required to establish the club. The official said that establishment of a club on the pattern of Islamabad club was a long-awaited demand of the residents of Islamabad.
The new club, which is likely to be established within two years, would provide modern facilities to the members including a gymnasium, an auditorium, saloons, swimming pools for male and female members and children, an amphitheatre, volley ball, tennis and basket ball courts.
Two community halls each having capacity of 700 people and a separate residential block would also be part of the citizens club.
He said the authority was considering that those already having membership of Islamabad Club should not be given membership of the new club. He said about 5,000 memberships would be given for the new club.
COMMUNITY SPORTS CENTRES: The official said four community sports centers were being established in sectors G-7/3, G8/2, E- 7 and I-9 at a land measuring 1.8 acres, 3.5 acres, 2.7 acres and 3.75 acres.
LADIES CLUB: This club is being established at G-10 Markez on a land measuring two kanals with facilities like a multi-purpose hall, a health club, a swimming pool, badminton and squash courts, kid activity area, library and community hall.

any update on nadra headquaters

I was working as an internee last year with Naveed Aslam & Assosiates last summer and at that time they were designing this Nadra Headquarter building. It 6 storey with 2 parking levels. I havent seen any construction goin on their site when i visited isloo in march 2006.

Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\05\09\story_9-5-2006_pg11_4

CDA will build 5 interchanges

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to construct five more interchanges in Islamabad.

The new interchanges and they are Crossing Chowk interchange, Garden Avenue Crossing Chowk, Karal Chowk interchange, Sohan interchange and Lehtrar interchange. The designs for the interchanges at China Chowk and Faisal Avenue Crossing Chowk are being formed. According to sources, the CDA and NESPAK have failed to resolve the dispute on the fee charged by the latter for the design and supervision of work on the Zero Point interchange. NESPAK and asked for Rs 20 million for their services which the CDA had refused. The CDA has now begun looking for new consultants for the project.

Islamabad needs some major works on its roads...too much traffic on the roads...

islamabad is definately moving forward but its youth do not have anything to do. there is no place for them to go socially. Islamabad needs places to entertain the youth

agree 100%. i know some palestinian dudes who live there and they tell me how boring it is compared to the other cities.

agree 100%. i know some palestinian dudes who live there and they tell me how boring it is compared to the other cities.
It is only as boring as you make it out to be, if you have lived in Islamabad long enough you will know about all the hang out places.

It is only as boring as you make it out to be, if you have lived in Islamabad long enough you will know about all the hang out places.

but how many of them cost some green bucks which most people cant afford?

http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/18/SlideShow/pic19.jpg

A sketch of the resort CDA is developing at Rawal Lake.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board and CDA will sign a Memorandum of Understanding in a fortnight, under which land will be leased out for construction of international-standard cricket stadium in the capital city of Pakistan.

The PCB Chairman, Shaharyar M. Khan, met his CDA counterpart Kamran Lashari and discussed the leasing of 29 acres of land At Garden Avenue here, just behind heliport, for the construction of Islamabad Cricket Stadium.

Shaharyar was quoted to have impressed upon Lashari that PCB wanted to start construction at the earliest so that matches of 2011 World Cup, as well as those of Champions Trophy and Asia Cup, are held at this latest international venue.

According to sources, the CDA Chairman Kamran Lashari assured the PCB Chairman that they would extend all help in lease-out agreement so that the capital city gets an international cricket venue.●

http://www.pakistantimes.net/2006/05/19/national4.htm

ISLAMABAD, May 18: The construction work on the capital’s first underpass being built at a cost of Rs453 million at Kulsum Plaza Chowk in Blue Area started on Thursday.
The project was inaugurated by Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao. CDA Chairman Kamran Lashari, former 10 Corps Commander Lt-Gen (retd) Ali Quli Khan, who is also chief executive of Gammon Pakistan, Chief Commissioner Islamabad Khalid Pervez and other officials were also present.

The contract has been awarded to Gammon Pakistan and Matracon, and the project is scheduled to be completed in six months.

The CDA is currently engaged in removing all services coming in the way of the underpass like water supply, telephone, electricity and gas lines. The cost of removal of the services is stated to be Rs110 million.

Speaking on the occasion, the interior minister said the CDA chairman and his team had been doing a marvellous job by executing a number of development projects in Islamabad.

He said almost all the development schemes would be completed by the year 2007. “When the tenure of the present government will end next year, people will see a great difference between the present and future Islamabad.” He said the CDA had decided to make all main roads and highways in the capital free from traffic signals and for this purpose underpass and flyovers were being constructed.

The CDA chairman said work on 18 main roads in Islamabad was under progress at a cost of Rs4 billion. Besides, a total of 600 km inner city roads had been recarpeted.

The Capital Development Authority also plans to construct an interchange and another underpass on the avenue.

The residents of Islamabad are heading towards a big traffic mess that would continue for over one-and-a-half years as the CDA will not construct a flyover and two underpasses at Blue Area simultaneously, some traffic engineers feared.

Talking to Dawn, the experts said the authority should start flyover and underpasses simultaneously otherwise traffic congestion at main points would continue.

They said the construction of a flyover and an underpass would require at least six months and the Capital Development Authority had decided to construct two underpasses and a flyover on Jinnah Avenue one by one.

“We have been suggested by our traffic engineers to execute underpasses one by one, otherwise the traffic mess would be so horrible that it could not be controlled by any department,” a senior official of the CDA said.

Source: www.dawn.com (epaper)

ISLAMABAD, May 19: The development work at three new sectors, D-12, I14, and I-15, has been forcibly stopped by the villagers of the areas for allegedly not getting compensation from the Capital Development Authority (CDA), representatives of the villagers told Dawn on Friday.

They said the authority had backed out of all its agreements made with the villagers regarding compensation. They said the CDA had to give plots against their land and money against their built-up property.

The authority, they said, had launched new sectors without resolving compensation issues and addressing reservations of the villagers.

CDA Chairman Kamran Lashari and members of the board seem to acknowledge the villagers’ demands, “but director land always tries to linger compensation cases,” Haji Aurangzeb, president of Mutasreen-i-Islamabad, said.

He said instead of disposing of genuine cases, the director land had recently paid Rs14.7 million compensation on 226 bogus cases.

Sector D-12 is being developed on the land of two villages — Pind Sangrial and Siri Saral.

Mr Aurangzeb said most of the villagers of Siri Saral had been paid compensation, but not a single dweller of Pind Sangrial had so far been paid. The development work of D-12 has been stopped and it would remain suspended till our demands are met by the CDA, he said.

Some of the affected villagers have reportedly obtained compensation against their land, while the compensation for their built-up property has not been paid so far. Mr Aurangzeb claimed that villagers were being threatened by the CDA officials that their cases would be taken up by NAB. “We are the genuine inhabitants of D-12’s land and are not afraid of facing NAB,” he added.

The Sector D-12 has become one of the controversial sectors of Islamabad as it could not be developed even after 15 years of its plan’s approval, and a deadly clash between the villagers and the officials of the CDA and district administration in 2002 claimed the lives of two villagers.

Meanwhile, a representative of villagers of sector I-14 and I-15, Chaudhry Mohammad Jehangir, said the development work of the two sectors had also been suspended by the villagers.

He said the development work of sector I-15 continued only for a day after Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz laid foundation stone in a ceremony held at the CDA headquarters.

Source: epaper.dawn.com

ISLAMABAD, May 18: The construction work on the capital’s first underpass being built at a cost of Rs453 million at Kulsum Plaza Chowk in Blue Area started on Thursday.
The project was inaugurated by Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao. CDA Chairman Kamran Lashari, former 10 Corps Commander Lt-Gen (retd) Ali Quli Khan, who is also chief executive of Gammon Pakistan, Chief Commissioner Islamabad Khalid Pervez and other officials were also present.

The contract has been awarded to Gammon Pakistan and Matracon, and the project is scheduled to be completed in six months.

The CDA is currently engaged in removing all services coming in the way of the underpass like water supply, telephone, electricity and gas lines. The cost of removal of the services is stated to be Rs110 million.

Speaking on the occasion, the interior minister said the CDA chairman and his team had been doing a marvellous job by executing a number of development projects in Islamabad.

He said almost all the development schemes would be completed by the year 2007. “When the tenure of the present government will end next year, people will see a great difference between the present and future Islamabad.” He said the CDA had decided to make all main roads and highways in the capital free from traffic signals and for this purpose underpass and flyovers were being constructed.

The CDA chairman said work on 18 main roads in Islamabad was under progress at a cost of Rs4 billion. Besides, a total of 600 km inner city roads had been recarpeted.

The Capital Development Authority also plans to construct an interchange and another underpass on the avenue.

The residents of Islamabad are heading towards a big traffic mess that would continue for over one-and-a-half years as the CDA will not construct a flyover and two underpasses at Blue Area simultaneously, some traffic engineers feared.

Talking to Dawn, the experts said the authority should start flyover and underpasses simultaneously otherwise traffic congestion at main points would continue.

They said the construction of a flyover and an underpass would require at least six months and the Capital Development Authority had decided to construct two underpasses and a flyover on Jinnah Avenue one by one.

“We have been suggested by our traffic engineers to execute underpasses one by one, otherwise the traffic mess would be so horrible that it could not be controlled by any department,” a senior official of the CDA said.

Source: www.dawn.com (epaper)

Work is in full flow right now.

Updates for isloo are that the underpass in not only going under the Jinnah Avenue it will connect the Kashmir Highway with Margalla road so alot of cricket ground are going to be ruined in this connecting road. Margazzar ground is one example. A suggestion from my side would be to built the connecting road underground to rehabiliate the cricket ground and parks back over it again. Altough the cost will be more but the social spaces would be reclaimed again. Again we are solving one problem and creating another one.

Islambad police has become damn strict with the introduction of the new Upgradation but ive noticed they are educting ppl regarding traffic rules on the main junction which u wouldnt find anywhr else in the country.

Updates for isloo are that the underpass in not only going under the Jinnah Avenue it will connect the Kashmir Highway with Margalla road so alot of cricket ground are going to be ruined in this connecting road. Margazzar ground is one example. A suggestion from my side would be to built the connecting road underground to rehabiliate the cricket ground and parks back over it again. Altough the cost will be more but the social spaces would be reclaimed again. Again we are solving one problem and creating another one.
I agree with you that green belt was beautifull the whole thing has been destroyed by that connecting road which runs right through the green belt.

ISLAMABAD, May 27: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday said the government would set up software technology parks in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi to facilitate and expedite the development of software industry and IT enabled services.

The prime minister was chairing a meeting held here to review the IT industry growth and short, medium and long-term office space requirements for the IT industry.

The ministry of information technology in its presentation informed the prime minister that the IT industry’s growth and human resource expansion had created a lot of demand for more office space.

The ministry also submitted a strategy based on surveys to address the demand for IT enabled office space.

Mr Aziz gave approval for setting up two IT parks in Islamabad, one each at Sector I-9 and National Park Area. He asked the ministry to expedite plans for the construction of parks at these two sites.

The prime minister was informed that the construction of I-9 park will begin in August this year.

He also reviewed various land options at Lahore and Karachi and the proposal to set up software technology parks at Lahore and Karachi airports. He asked the ministry to review various available options and submit a comprehensive plan in 30 days.

The prime minister appreciated growth in telecom sector and said it had been made possible as a result of the government’s policies of deregulation, privatisation and opening up of the sector.

He asked the ministry to take steps to expedite export of software and IT enabled services.

The meeting was attended among others by Minister for Information Technology Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari and State Minister Ishaq Khan Khakwani.—APP

Islamabad to have FTTH facility
By Naveed Ahmad

ISLAMABAD: In harmony with the ongoing boom in the country’s telecom sector, Islamabad is all set to become South Asia’s first city to have fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) solution to deliver a full range of high bandwidth triple play (voice, video and data) services.

FTTH would make customers’ life simple and offer a one-stop shop for all telecommunication needs. The unlimited capacity of fiber allows super high quality voice, video, data and Internet services, plus applications like home security, home automation, and videoconferencing. The state of the art fiber optic technology will provide customers with possible great new advantages, such as distance learning, teleworking, and telemedicine. The scalability, security, reduced maintenance and extended life of FTTH makes it the most “future proof” of all communications infrastructures.

The service would provide the customers access to the most advanced services available in digital television, high-speed Internet, and local and long-distance phone service. All three services would be delivered over single optical fiber cable. As a result, the quality, variety, speed, reliability, and value will be unmatched by any other service. In telecom world, giants like Verizon USA, NTT Japan and KT Korea are deploying FTTH whereas NTL, a company of purely Pakistani origin, has taken on this challenging task.

Naya Tel, an alternate service provider, which has deployed fiber optic in most parts of Islamabad, has acquired Alcatel’s fully standards compliant, all optical solution called Alcatel 7340 fiber-to-the-user (FTTU), along with the Alcatel 5020 softswitch in a bid to achieve the scalability for cost-effective support for an expanding network.

Developing this kind of infrastructure is critical for Pakistan to take a quantum leap in technological advancement and to become a recognized and competitive force in the global economy.

In an emerging city like Islamabad, FTTH will play a vital role in the development of the local economy. In the information age of 21st century, cities need technology like FTTH to continue to prosper. “In the 19th century, a town’s future depended on the railroad coming there. In the 21st century, it’s FTTH,” said Wahaj-us-Siraj, Naya Tel CEO while talking to The News.

FTTH will position Islamabad to better compete in the global economy and can provide businesses in the city with a global reach second to none. It can also make Islamabad attractive to new businesses and give existing ones a boost.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=8448

[QUOTE=Khanabadosh]Islamabad to have FTTH facility
By Naveed Ahmad

When its gonna be completed 2020 :D good plan for islamabad i hope they do it in all major cities all over pakistan....

lets hope they do it in real and hope its not another project on papers

Islamabad to have FTTH facility
^^^^^^^
*A very good news in the sense of upgrading the city and movin it toward hi-tech
*A very bad news in the sense that every road, street and walkway is going to be re-excavated for i dont no ---th times and again pollution due to excavation n all.....if this project is not handled by some good compatible company then isb is seriously gonna b a mess till the time the project is not completed.

ISLAMABAD: The multimillion-rupee scandal of Abu Dhabi Towers, F-11 settled after Syed Noman Shah, an former son-in-law of Dr AQ Khan brokered an acceptable deal between the victims and the owners.

Earlier, military men, police cops, bureaucrats and common citizens of Islamabad were conned by giving bogus allotment letters by two booking agents of Abu Dhabi Towers, who now are languishing in Adiala Jail. As a result of which, the victims had got FIRs registered against the owners. Sadiq did not return from Abu Dhabi while Rizwan later fled from the country.

Later, both the parties contacted Noman and requested him to mediate between them to settle the issue.

After month-long negotiations, Noman presented a formula to both sides, which was accepted and a formal agreement was reached. A committee has also been set up for monitoring affairs of the towers in future with consent of owners of the towers.

The committee has requested Islamabad Police to contact it in case of any complaint against Sadiq or the towers so that they could determine authenticity of the claimer. Earlier, CDA authorities had also occupied the towers to recover dues. However, the victims also met Chairman CDA Kamram Lashari to sort out issues.

After an agreement, the CDA also allowed to continue construction of towers after dividing the payable amount into instalments.

Meanwhile, talking to The News, Noman appreciated Sadiq and victims for agreeing to his mediation. He said settlement of the issue was not possible had Sadiq and the victims shown flexibility.

Meanwhile, Secretary Overseas Pakistanis Foundation Habib Khan also welcomed the settlement.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=8922

CDA will present a tentative budget of Rs 23 billion next week.

Major plans for fiscal year 2006-2007 are

interchange at zero point
third lane on kashmir highway
a new hospital
a new park on the patter of F-9 park
sewage treatment plant
bus terminal
margalla highway(i dont understand what exactly they mean by this)
survey of ways to improve water provisions for isloo and pindi
etc,etc

details later...

margalla highway(i dont understand what exactly they mean by this)

Currently parts of Margalla road are dual and some parts are still single probably will be called Margall highway on dualisation of all parts.

Any have any news on the Margalla Tunnel?

^^ that has been opposed by pro- enviromentalists on the grounds that it would destroy lots of forest on the margalla hills.

I read that the plan had been dropped.

ISLAMABAD, June 12 (SANA): Chairman CDA Kamran Lashari has said that a number of development plans are in the pipeline and soon the federal capital will be turned into a hub of tourist activities.

The CDA chairman was speaking during a visit to the Chamber House on the invitation of Abdul Rauf, President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) here Monday.

Addressing a gathering of industrialist and traders, he said CDA is trying to provide best ever facilities to the citizens of Islamabad. He said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has directed CDA that arrangements should be introduced which could reduce the interaction between the public and the CDA officials. He added that to implement this decision that latest computers were being installed for the purpose.

He told the meeting that five new sectors have been opened within the last two years which will help solve the residential problems of the city and said that four five Star Hotels are being constructed and infrastructure is being upgraded. A number of roads are being dualized and a good number of new roads are under construction.

He further said that in the past CDA had to request the government to obtain funds for development but according to Prime Minister’s direction we are now using our own land to collect the funds.

He said there is no shortage of money with CDA. He disclosed that two years earlier CDA budget was Rs 4 billion and the development budget of CDA presently has exceeded Rs 17 billion. He further said that 18 to 20 new roads will be constructed by next year and CDA will construct new capital club.

He said Daman-e-Koh is being upgraded and made attractive from tourism point of view. Picnic spots are being made on Murree Road along Rawal Dam. Art and Craft village is being constructed in Shakarparian and Saidpur village is being constructed a tourist village. He said that there is acute problem of water shortage in Islamabad and we will overcome this problem with the help of citizens.

Abdul Rauf, ICCI President, in his welcome address said that the development work currently underway in the federal capital was never thought of earlier. Despite all this there are certain problems in various markets and trade centres which need attention of CDA. He suggested formation of a joint committee for solution of problems which should meet every 15 days to solve the problems.

Islamabad to be turned into a tourist hub (http://www.kashar.net/technews/complete.asp?id=2756)

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has begun evaluating a proposal given by SJS, a local private firm, for underground train service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, a CDA official said on Tuesday.

He said the proposal will be sent to the Ministry of Interior for approval, adding that the authority will conduct a feasibility study focusing on total number of commuters, identification of suitable routes, and specifications necessary for the service. The CDA official said it has not been decided whether the project will be a joint venture or the authority will bear all expenditures.

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\06\14\story_14-6-2006_pg11_8

Construction of five-star hotel starts next month



By Our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Construction work on a grand project of a high-rise five-star hotel -- involving an investment of Rs12 billion -- in the federal capital will start in the first week of July.

Pak Gulf Construction, a consortium of Al Tamimi Group of Saudi Arabia and Sardar Builders from Pakistan, will jointly carry out the project. The project includes a 38-storey five-star hotel, three towers of services apartments and a big shopping mall.

Last year, a 6.06-acre piece of land in Blue Area was allotted by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to the company for Rs6 billion for the project, which will be completed in three years.

the NEWS

anyone has the pic of underpass construction.... havent seen any update lately after they started work on it...

the only picture i have of the underpass construction..
http://static.flickr.com/63/158608926_164ee0b478_o.jpg

And by the way FTTH has already launched in Islamabad.
www.nayatel.com

ISLAMABAD, June 28: President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday formally inaugurated the renovated Daman-i-Koh picnic resort. The inauguration ceremony was followed by dinner and a musical programme.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz was also present on the occasion. Others who attended the ceremony were Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Defence Minister Rao Sinkandar Iqbal, Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah senior military officials and diplomats.

Clad in a pent coat the president hailed the renovation work on Daman-i-Koh resort and directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Kamran Lashari to establish many other such recreational places in Islamabad, a source said.

The president enjoyed the night view of the capital city from the hilly resort.

The resort has been renovated on the directives of former Interior Minister Makhdoom Syed Faisal Salah Hayat.

The renovation work has made the picnic spot more attractive and one of the favourite recreational places in the capital.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/06/29/top17.htm

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) will start constructing a three-level flyover-cum-underpass at Faisal Avenue Chowk in September.

The CDA has assigned the task of the project's designing to Engineering Associates who also prepared the design of the under construction underpass at Kulsoom Plaza Chowk -- also in Blue Area.

CDA sources said the design of the flyover-cum-underpass would be finalised within the next two months and contract for construction work would be awarded to the contractor to be selected from the already short-listed firms.

The sources said as per concept of the plan, the traffic would ply on three levels. An official said the part of flyover of the project would be required for smooth flow of traffic on Jinnah Avenue. A CDA official said the project -- starting sometime in September -- would be completed in six months while its actual cost would be known once the design is finalised.

It has been learnt that the Authority would have to shift the service lines passing through the intersection to start the project. The CDA is already spending Rs100 million on shifting service lines from Kulsoom Chowk and almost the same amount will be required to re-located service lines from Faisal Avenue.

The Authority has reserved Rs490 million for the project of the Kulsoom Plaza underpass while funds have also been allocated for the project of flyover-cum-underpass at Faisal Avenue Chowk. Sources said the CDA would also start work on construction of underpass at China Chowk in the financial year 2006-07.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/4809/imgisl0qd.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/9549/imgisl23pt.jpg

any website link.....this is good but is it just an idea or has it been approved....

I can assure you right now that it wont be built.

me too ...this project would probably remain on paper only

^ There was also the Parliamentarians enclave being built, havent heard anything about it since the paper ad about 4-5 months back.

its a project by HRL they are quite respectfull infact very respectfull and completed there last project al hamra residancy on raiwind road super fast.

Islamabad to have 3 New Cricket grounds

Capital Development Authority (CDA) will develop three first-class standard cricket grounds before the end of this year.

The grounds are being development as alternative to the three grounds affected by the construction of 7th and 9th Avenues. "The new stadiums with modern facilities will be much better than the previous grounds," CDA Chairman Kamran Lashari told 'The News' Monday.

The CDA has started development work on two of the three cricket stadiums in Sectors G-8/2 and F-6/2. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will formally inaugurate development work of Diamond Cricket Ground in Sector G-8/2 very soon.

The CDA, which allocated 400x450 square yards area for the new ground in place of the existing Diamond Cricket Ground in Sector G-9, will spend Rs20 million on creating the new facility. The CDA chairman said the Authority had to do away with the previous sports facilities as they fall on right of way of 7th and 9th Avenues. "It is a wrong impression that CDA is constructing two new roads on green belts," he said.

The CDA official said the two roads were very much part of Islamabad's master plan and the previous sports facilities were created to serve the community till the work on construction of 7th and 9th Avenues was to start.

Lashari also inspected the ongoing development work at the new site of Diamond Cricket Ground and directed the officials to complete work according to the schedule. He said CDA has also made provision of sports and recreational facilities in all the new sectors while new sports grounds are being developed and existing parks are being renovated.



The development of three new grounds is a result of an agreement reached between CDA and Islamabad Cricket Association (ICA) owing to efforts of Senate Standing Committee on Sports. Director Special Projects Sanaullah Aman, who has been assigned the task to develop the grounds, said the whole project would cost Rs50 million. "The three grounds are permanent and will not be affected by any development activity," he said.

The official said the grounds in Sectors G-8/2 and F-6/2 would be completed in four months while work on the third ground at the foothills of Saidpur Village would start shortly. The ground in Sector F-6/2 is being developed in place of Lal Quarter Ground while Marghazar Ground has been provided an alternative site near Saidpur Village. Sanaullah said the Diamond Cricket Ground would have a pavilion, players' changing room, four pitches, automatic roller and its own tube-well.

Lashari also inspected the ongoing development work at the new site of Diamond Cricket Ground and directed the officials to complete work according to the schedule. He said CDA has also made provision of sports and recreational facilities in all the new sectors while new sports grounds are being developed and existing parks are being renovated.

The development of three new grounds is a result of an agreement reached between CDA and Islamabad Cricket Association (ICA) owing to efforts of Senate Standing Committee on Sports. Director Special Projects Sanaullah Aman, who has been assigned the task to develop the grounds, said the whole project would cost Rs50 million. "The three grounds are permanent and will not be affected by any development activity," he said.

The official said the grounds in Sectors G-8/2 and F-6/2 would be completed in four months while work on the third ground at the foothills of Saidpur Village would start shortly. The ground in Sector F-6/2 is being developed in place of Lal Quarter Ground while Marghazar Ground has been provided an alternative site near Saidpur Village. Sanaullah said the Diamond Cricket Ground would have a pavilion, players' changing room, four pitches, automatic roller and its own tube-well.

CDA ready to give alternative plots to inmates of G-6 govt quarters

http://www.realtalk.us/my_category.asp?main_cats_id=8&sub_cats_id=2

By Muhammad Anis

ISLAMABAD: The federal capital might lose one of its oldest markets -- the Covered Market, the only of its kind in Islamabad -- as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is examining a proposal to allow a multi-storey shopping plaza at the site.

The Covered Market, which previously was known as 'Siraj Market' and has been catering to the needs of residents including foreigners living on Embassy Road and other adjoining areas, has changed hands twice in the last one year.

The Covered Market, which is fully covered with a concrete roof, was established by CDA in the mid 1960s and was soon sold and leased out to the Siraj family in 1966 for Rs2 million -- a lucrative amount at that period. The lease was extended for another 30 years by CDA in 1996.

The market is spread over an area of over 8700 square yards (14.5 kanals) and was leased out for 30 years with two extensions for 30 years each. "The lease is transferable and therefore, the owner can sell the market," a CDA official told 'The News'.

Sources said the existing owner of the Covered Market, a woman, was in the process of getting the shops vacated from tenants running their business at the market for decades. It has been learnt that the landlady has paid from Rs0.5 million to Rs1.5 million to shopkeepers to vacate their shops.

An official of CDA's Planning Wing said they have received a proposal from the owner to allow construction of a commercial plaza consisting of a ground floor plus four floors. The official said the permission for construction of a multi-storey plaza would be given only after receiving more charges, which could be a huge amount.

The official said any permission to allow a four-storey plaza would be given keeping in view the sanctity of the residential area around the market. The source said CDA is considering allowing a 100 per cent covered area for ground floor, which would gradually decrease from first to third floor.


http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=16406

Dubai-based group wants to develop new city in ICT

ISLAMABAD: A Dubai-based business group has evinced interest in developing a new city in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), sources in Capital Development Authority (CDA) said Wednesday.

The officials of Ammar Group of Dubai, who are on a business tour of Asia, Wednesday gave a presentation to CDA Chairman Kamran Lashari and other senior officials on its plans to invest billions of rupees in the federal capital.

A CDA official told 'The News' that the group wants to develop a city over an area of 6000 acres in the territorial limits of Islamabad. "They plan to create residential, commercial and entertainment areas in the new city," the official said.

The CDA management has given different options to the Dubai group like Zone-I, Zone-IV and Simly Road where they could materialise their plans. "We have also offered them to assist in acquiring area equal to four sectors of Islamabad in Zone-I where the city could be developed," the official said.

The sources said the business group sought 15 days from CDA to identify a site for their mega project. The visiting officials would visit Zone-I, Zone-IV and other areas to locate a site for the project. The CDA management also offered the company to invest in extension plan of Blue Area up to Sector F-14 but the Dubai group was interested in a much bigger project.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=16409

Covered Market - I loved that place so much, used to go there daily yrz back....it wuz one of the best market to go to...but wut can we do abt it.....its a private property and its gonna b bulldozed some day
ill bring the pix....

@ Techno-Architect

waiting eagerly for the pics.

when and y r they bulldozing the covered market? What'll happen to all the artists in there? I better hurry and get those frames for my pictures. Bad news.

River View Commercial Area Launched

Bahria Town today announced the launch of a commercial project in Phase-7 Rawalpindi.

The commercial area is located on the 210 feet Expressway at 1 km from main GT Road and adjacent to DHA Phase 1 .The commercial Area will provide the retail outlets along with a four star hotel. It is located on 210 Feet wide Expressway with lush green landscaped parks providing a spacious parking plaza.

The River View Project will provide a commercial area to not only the residents of Phase-7 and Safari Villas II for their day to day needs but the resident of DHA Phase 1 and other communities of Bahria Town will also enjoy the benefits of the commercial area.

The Security system is emphasized and different security measures are being adopted for the purpose.The commercial plots are in three different sizes of 4 Marla, 8 Marla, and 1 Kanal, available in easy quarterly installments.

Bahria Town is renowned for providing its customers all the facilities and ensures that the requirements of residents of Bahria Town are well taken care of. With the expansion of residential area the need of commercial zone became indispensable and Bahria Town is always considerate as far as the comforts of its residents are concerned.


http://www.bahriatown.com.pk/phase8_9/Press_Releases/images/RiverView_Map.jpg

26.07.06
By Muhammad Anis

ISLAMABAD: On receiving notices from the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the construction company has sped up work on the first underpass in Blue Area here.

CDA sources said the notices were issued to the construction company on witnessing slow pace of work at the site of the Kulsoom Plaza Chowk underpass where according to the Authority less than 10 per cent work has been completed after seven weeks of its start.

The construction company was awarded the contract for Rs345 million with a deadline to complete the project in six months. Work on the first phase of the project started on May 15. A CDA official said the construction company has promised to complete work on the underpass sometime in November.

Meanwhile, CDA has okayed the concept design of the underpass at China Chowk where work is likely to start in October. "The PC-1 and detailed design of the China Chowk underpass will be finalised in August," a CDA official said.

The official said the design of the China Chowk underpass, which would pass under Nazimuddin Road, Jinnah Avenue and Fazal-e-Haq Road, is very simple. The official said the structural design and PC-1 of an underpass cum flyover at Faisal Avenue Chowk would also be finalised in September. CDA has appointed Engineering Associates as consultant for the three projects

news.com.pk

there is an add in todays eDawn about avari hotel in isloo.

it says Rs.1.725 billion syndicated project finance facility for avari hotel islamabad

CDA to suggest amendments in building codes
By Muhammad Anis

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to suggest amendments in the building codes which were notified a couple of months back.

Official sources said the decision to make amendments in the building codes has been taken in view of objections raised by structural engineers who had shown reluctance to work according to these codes.

The concerns of structural engineers were also echoed at a seminar organised by CDA on building codes at the Convention Centre Thursday. According to the code, the structural engineers would be mainly responsible for any collapse of high-rise buildings even if it occurs due to a disaster. To take up any project, the structural engineers would have to deposit an indemnity bond, which according to them is very strict. "It is not an indemnity bond but it amounts to a death warrant for us," a structural engineer was quoted as saying during the seminar.

The participants of the seminar were also of the view that CDA creates awareness about building codes and facilitate developers particularly those coming from abroad through one window operation. "The implementation of building codes should not discourage investors and developers," they said. The codes, which have been forwarded to CDA by the Ministry of Housing and Works, have been formulated by a committee comprising experts from Nespak and other organisations.

Sorry about the quality of pics, it was getting quite late and the sky was bit overcast.... but here you go.

ESSEM INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL ( behind marriot )
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/DSC_00002.jpg

Another View
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/DSC_00003.jpg


http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/DSC_00004.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/DSC_00005.jpg

what * hotel is this when will it be complete?

Do they have the model of the hotel displayed at the site office or not?>?

UPDATES REGARDING 7TH AVENUE
http://www.urbanpk.com/modules/Forums/index.php?act=ST&f=16&t=624&st=0#entry2408

Has this been posted earlier?

Islamabad: Holiday Inn

Designed by: N/A
Developers: N/A
Status: Underconstruction
Contractors: N/A
Height: 20 Storeys
Shopping Floors: N/A
Appartment Floors: N/A
Office Floors: N/A
Parking Floors: N/A
Location: Islamabad

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a193/mirzathe/Picture9.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a193/mirzathe/Picture11.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a193/mirzathe/Picture1.jpg

I dont understand where there going to build the Holiday Inn Extension because the Hotel has no empty land/ground/lawn where they can build the tower, do they plan on demolishing the existing building/part of the building... Also can some one please get some shots of the Gold Crest residential Towers in DHA islamabad, An acuaintances factory is opposite DHA and i was told the towers are almost half built.

@waquas- it will be 5*

@techno - i didnt see any board or pic of the design visible from outside

Yes ARCHIPAK - but its juss a vision and it hasnt been approved by CDA~!!

hey KBBOY cant u take pix from a good camera of 3MP+?

^^^
you will have to wait till i buy one !!!

hurry up then man!!
ur wasting time with those tiny miny cell phones camz!!
:D
juss kiddin....

There was an add in todays paper about a CINEPLEX in islamabad. Its going to be built on the Muree Road alonside the Motels and Hotels.

LAHORE: M/s Shalimar Construction Company and M/s Guarantee Engineers have won the contracts for the construction of....

Click here to read more... (http://realtalk.us/my_category.asp?main_cats_id=9&sub_cats_id=8)

:cheers:

Construction of seven-star hotel in Blue Area
Engineer assures stability of building at all times

ISLAMABAD: Referring to high-rise building project of seven-star hotel in Blue Area, Islamabad, structure engineer Keith Shephard of world's leading architect firm, Atkins, said they had designed the building according to zone-4 standards to stand to earthquake of high intensity.

"We assure stability of the building at all times," Keith said while attending a briefing on multi-billion project in federal capital. He said they had the expertise to design and build structures in many countries of the world including Dubai, America, Britain, Japan, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

The team of architects comprising David Thomas, Hakim Khennochi and Paul Medhust who are on a visit to Islamabad, elaborated on the future of the project saying that it would comprise of 7-star deluxe hotel, shopping mall and apartments. "It will be a state of the art structure containing everything a human being would want for their living and that it would be a landmark for Pakistan," they said.

Jason termed all the technical features of the project as really amazing and almost all new to Pakistan, which include fire fighting system, fire proof door water feature and elevators. Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan CEO Pak Gulf Construction Co (Pvt) Ltd also attended a briefing given by Abdul Majeed Khan, GM Constructions, to the visiting team.

Source: The NEWS

Asslam-o-Alaikum to all!!
Here are some of the updates about Islamabad in the form of pics........:)
it is a building under construction in blue area on an empty plot between Saudi pak tower and NIC tower.....it has name written as "State life tower"
i dont know much about this building b'coz i've seen it first time.............
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8408/abuildingunderconstructioninblueareanamedasstatelifetqv0.jpg
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8532/statelifetowerek8.jpg
here is a pic of "SITE OFFICE" of "37-STOREY CENTAURUS MALL" in Islamabad
(construction on site office is going at a slow pace but the site office is going to be attractive i think;))..............the inauguration of Centaurus mall is again delayed..... i dont know about new date of inauguration...
http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/4392/siteofficeforcentaurusmallinislambadunderconstructionpo2.jpg
construction site and site office of Islamabad stock exchange tower
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/8864/stockexchangetowersiteofficeuf7.jpg
tower crane working on the at stock exchange tower(all basement storeys(may be 2 or 3) have been completed and now the tower is coming above the ground)
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/5876/stockexchangetowernq0.jpg
Telecom tower is now being constructed at a satisfying pace............
basement floors r completed...........
construction site of telecom tower(tower crane visible at the back is working on stock exchange tower NOT telecom tower)
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/5325/constructionsiteandsiteofficeofislamadtelecomtowerrm6.jpg
cranes at work at service road/link road:
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1601/cranesworkingattelecomtowerconstructionsiteee8.jpg

brand new EMAAR plaza in blue area(i love its design!:))
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/8680/brandnewemaarplazainblueareaqu3.jpg
here is a pic of construction work going on Kulsoom plaza underpass and dualization of Nazim-ud-din road............
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/622/contructionworkgoingonkulsomplazaunderpasslh0.jpg
info board at the construction site of diamond stadium.......
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/5876/infoboardonconstructionsiteofdiamondstadiumit3.jpg
construction site of diamond stadium
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5954/constructionworkondiamondstadiumfy3.jpg
New two way Pirwadhai to Faizabad road nearly completed........
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/4723/pirfaizroadjs3.jpg
New completed Islamabad dry port
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/2673/islamabaddryporttv0.jpg

thanks for the pics... appreciate ur work... lot of work is going on in Islamabad atlast... :)

Great pics

I think Islamabad and other cities should get rid off the black and white curbs. They are aestaticly ugly.

Thanks for the pictures.Good work indeed.

There was an add in The News today regarding the Ground Breaking of the Grand Hyatt in islamabad. More Info on that would be great!!!

^^^^^^ Well, I checked on their website and it said that Grand Hyatt Islamabad would open in early 2009. They had no more information, but considering the fact that they are opening 37 hotels in the next 4 years, they wouldn't bother.

Welcome to all for "thanking" ...................but i think that atcually those pics are not according to "good photographic stantards";)(as they dont capture detail fully:)), atcually iam sorry for that because i dont have any experience in "photography" and iam a "beginner amature" in photography..........:)
SORRY for becoming off-topic but i was just thinking that there is nothing "special" in these pics................and if those pics are really lacking "something".

ISLAMABAD: The federal Cabinet under the chairmanship of the Prime Minster Shaukat Aziz will approve the revised Master Plan of Islamabad soon. The revision of the Master Plan of the federal capital has been made by the Member Planning of the Capital Development Authority, Brigadier Nusrat Ullah under the guide lines of President General Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Federal Minister for Interior Aftab Khan Sherpao.

It has been proposed in the revised Master Plan that the federal capital will have its own railway station. This proposed railway station will be built in Sector H-18, having all the modern facilities and amenities of the developed world. In the same vicinity, bus and truck terminals of Islamabad will be constructed on the lines of Western Europe.

The revision of Islamabad Master Plan has been entered in final stage. The area of the federal capital will be increased drastically. The revised Mater Plan envisages the re-zoning of the Federally Administered Capital Territory. The land acquisition formula has also been revised. The Capital Development Authority will acquire vast land for the extension and expansion of the capital.

According to the revised formula for land acquisition, the principle of land for land will be opted by the government. Instead of cash payment, the CDA will give developed plots to the persons/families in lieu of the land acquired by the CDA from the local landowners.'The News' has learnt that Cabinet Committee constituted by the prime minister for the revision of the Master Plan met here Monday. The chairman of the committee, Federal Minister for Interior Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao presided over the meeting in the Ministry of Interior. The meeting was attended by the Minister for Labour, Manpower, Overseas Pakistanis Ghulam Sarwer Khan, Minister for Railway Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Adviser to the Prime Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs, Revenue Dr. Salman Shah, Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah, CDA Chairman Kamran Khan Lashari, Member Planning Brigadier Nusrat Ullah, and Member Estate Asad Munir.

Today, i was reading an article titled " CDA likely to increase land rate" in dawn. couldnt find the e-version, so i am posting the important points

1. According to 2001 revised rates, capital land is given to govt. dept at Rs.4500 per sq yd, while it is around Rs. 200,000 per sq yard for commercial purposes to private parties.

2. CDA has given 150 kanals of land to Pakistan Golf Federation , to develop a golf course at Shakarparian at Rs 41 per sq yard.

3. CDA will be providing 30 acres land near the sports complex to PCB for a cricket stadium, whose market worth is Rs 330 million. PCB has however demanded the land to be sold at Rs 8.7 million.

4. CDA would start work on 3 new projects from next month.
- Khushal Khan Underpass, on 7th avenue to link sectors G-6 and G-7
Cost of the project will be Rs. 434 million. Work will start from Oct. 1 and
complete by Feb 30, 2007.

- Conversion of existing nothern carriageway into a car park, and
construction of a new southern carriageway would be undertaken in line
with the revised Islamabad Master plan. The project is expected to cost
Rs. 154 million.

- Widenning of Damen-e-Koh road at the cost of Rs. 70 million.


God! these people are looting money from CDA. Imagine the money CDA could generate even if it sold these lands at 10% of the original price. It is good they are widenning the Daman-e-Koh road... theres way too much traffic on it now.

It seems islooiites have finally decided to go for outings and this is their favorite destination( at least untill rawal lake and shakar parian gets developed , both of which are currently U/C).


There's also this tender notice on the CDA website... Can any1 shed more light on it? looks quite interesting!

Sealed Tenders are hereby invited on percentage basis from the Pre-Qualified Firms for the following works on the date and time mentioned against each.

Name Of Work
Construction of Lake at Islamabad Highway opposite I-8/3, Islamabad.

Estimated Cost
Rs.15,79,708/

CDA is working wonders for Islamabad!!
:cheers:

ISLAMABAD—Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said on Sunday the new highway to be constructed from Mareer Chowk to Islamabad on Nullah Leh would help in easing traffic flow at Murree road Rawalpindi.
A wall would be constructed for further increasing the height of the Leh. Trees would also be planted along with the new road. A sum of Rs. 02 billion has been allocated for the project, he told newsmen.

He said Rs 900 million were spent on widening of the Leh a couple of years ago but it did not stop it from raising upto the danger level. All precautionary measures have been taken to avoid losses.Around 500 army Jawans were on duty along with banks of Leh. Boats are also there to provide instant help to masses in case of any emergency.

Responding to a question he said record 60 educational institutions had been established in Rawalpindi city. Cantonment hospital Rawalpindi had been upgraded with Rs 50 million. Additional water was being brought for Rawalpindi from Ghazi-Brotha, he said.

ISLAMABAD: The start of work on the Zero Point Interchange might be delayed for another six months, as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is yet to finalise a consultant to suggest improvements in the project's design.

CDA sources told 'The News' Monday that the authority has short-listed three consultant firms on the basis of their technical bids. Now they have been asked to submit their financial bids.

A CDA official said even if the consultant firm is chosen in the next couple of weeks, it would take another three months to have a detailed design complete and ready for approval.

CDA had already approved concept design of the project, which was prepared by a consultant firm from Karachi namely Engineering Associates. However, the firm left the project halfway through when CDA was in the process of removing some difficulties in the design.

Later, CDA negotiated with National Engineering Services of Pakistan (NesPak) but no agreement could be reached as according to CDA sources, the NesPak management demanded a heavy fee.

However, a CDA official, who is closely associated with the project, said the work could start in the first week of January if everything goes right. The present CDA management is working on the project for over one year but due to various complications, the detailed design could not been finalised. "We are facing the main problem in designing of the interchange's loop towards the under-construction national monument," the official said. He said the consultant to be selected might also be asked to suggest improvements in the project's concept design.

Source: the news

there is some sort of construction going on in shakarparian area, and a road is being made from the kashmir highway. It is just besides the road that branches out of hte kashmir highway and links it with the Islamabad highway. I think that is causing the problem with the interchange , as a loop between the two will have to go by there.

I think Islamabad and other cities should get rid off the black and white curbs. They are aestaticly ugly.

Agree about the curbs. They could be simply white, would be easier to paint and cost less too.

Great work Pakimuslim. Thanks

Good job Pakimuslim!

curbs dont need to be painted at all, i think. If CDA could keep them clean, they'll look fine without paint.

Hmmm........i guess the size of the lake opp to I.8/3 could b cn by visting the site. But i dont really think there was much space around there.......

there is news about a bidding by CDA on murree road , plot no 13. Pak Gulf construction has won the bidding of the plot at the cost of Rs 1.6 billion. They are going to construct a 3 star hotel as part of CDA's program to launch low priced hotels as well.

It must be noted that Pak Gulf also bought the site of the TheCentaurus, at Rs.6.5 bln earlier.

Someone's been messing around with my posts now...I have posted updates on ISE Tower twice.

Its been around 2 months we got updates about the ISE and telecom towers. The ISE tower is going at a good pace, and you can see a new crane(green) being assembled on site. Unfortunately, the Telecom tower has gone nowhere since the last updates.

Here you go...

ISE TOWER.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/DSC_00007-1.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/DSC_00009.jpg

TELECOM TOWER

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/DSC_00004-2.jpg

hey KBBOY post the pix in their appropriate threads-------->we ve got individual thread for all these upcoming towers in Isloo.....u juss need to search them in the Projects n Updates section~~! :)

^^ SORRY.

I was too lazy to search deep.. and some of these projects are buried 10ft deep. I wish SSC have a forum search feature.. or am i ignorant?

Rawal Lake Resort Construction Pix

http://www.urbanpk.com/modules/Forums/index.php?showtopic=624&pid=5095&st=20&#entry5095

How many avenues are the making in Islamabad? I see a 7th and 9th avenue! Where is the 8th? And where are the other 6 for that matter?!?!?

^^
i have lived in islamabad for quite some time... and honestly i never used/heard of avenues asking for locations... it is used for official addresses... for not in public references.

CDA will be starting a new shuttle service between Mazghar zoo and the Capital View point (pir sohawa). It also intends to start a site seeing tour for islamabad city.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/ISLAMABAD/cda.jpg

Now...they should also develop a mini park at pir sohawa coz at the moment it is only a restaurant and nowhere else to sit.

CDA has invited bids for safari train around rawal lake area.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/ISLAMABAD/cda_rawal.jpg

I would love to see that shooting fountain.... probably in the middle of the lake.....Oh man.... cant wait.

VIVE L'ISLAMABAD...SALUT à CDA

How many avenues are the making in Islamabad? I see a 7th and 9th avenue! Where is the 8th? And where are the other 6 for that matter?!?!?

-4th Avenue is completed recently connecting the diplomatic enclave n Quaid-e-Azam university with the Murree Road

-6th Avenue runs between sector F-5/F-6 & G-5/G-6 - not needed cauz of Constitutional avenue nearby that take the larger traffic

-7th Avenue runs between sector F-6/F-7 & G-6/G-7 - underconstruction

-8th Avenue runs between sector F-7/F-8 & G-7/G-8 - Technically this is the road coming from Zero Point to the Faisal Masjid commonly known as Faisal Avenue, it 6lane n 4 lanes at some part so that answers ur Q

-9th Avenue runs between sector F-8/F-9 & G-8/G-9 - underconstrucion and it start from Sir Syed Avenue I-8/1-9 which is the road from GT Road to Faizabad and the 9th avenue ends at Margalla Road F-8/F-9

-10th Avenue runs between sector F-9/F-10 & G-9/G-10 - they are not constructing a similar road like 7th avenue but they have dualized the service roads on the the east n west 10th avenue

-11th Avenue runs between sector I-10/I-11 & E-10/E-11 - but the portion from G-10/G-11 & F-10/F-11 is proposed rite now to connect the newer sector on the west side like E-10, D-12, F-11 to the Kashmir highway

-12th Avenue no info rite now!

the new shuttle service proposed.........hmmm.....that gonnaa b an interesting ride if the commuters are gud~!

Thanks tachno... I have another question.
I heard they were going to build a chairlift up to peer Sohawa... What ever happened with that?

Thanks tachno... I have another question.
I heard they were going to build a chairlift up to peer Sohawa... What ever happened with that?

That project is still kept aside as a vision. It been a long time since it was visioned but they havent really come up with something more........no construction or design tender to my knowledge has been posted till now regarding that.....i think when the traffic plan will choke they might then take some action about it!

i heard it was shelved for security reasons...but no one knows the truth...plus that train that they want at the lake ...i dnt think they'd be making money outa that...ui jst hope they dnt spend so much money in putting it in place and then halting it because it being operated at a loss

Okay here are some new pix ive uploaded on some ongoing projects

Visit them here
http://www.urbanpk.com/modules/Forums/index.php?showforum=45

Comments?

p.s. Coming soon projects will be uploaded sooner!

Pix of completed project in Isloo

Click here
http://www.urbanpk.com/modules/Forums/index.php?showforum=36

Techno.. I heard there are many new Malls coming up in Rawalpindi.. Do you have any info on those?

Great work on all the info Techno!

i heard it was shelved for security reasons...but no one knows the truth...plus that train that they want at the lake ...i dnt think they'd be making money outa that...ui jst hope they dnt spend so much money in putting it in place and then halting it because it being operated at a loss

that was a plan to build a chairlift from shakarparian to damen e koh. that ihas been abondoned coz it would have crossed the entire city.

THis one is from daman-e-koh to pir sohawa.. and it is listed on the CDA website as project in the pipeline.

Islamabad emerges most expensive city in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD • Pakistan’s capital Islamabad has emerged as one of the costliest cities in the country after inflation hit double figures in the first quarter (July-September) of the current fiscal year.

Overall inflation rose between 10 and 13 per cent in the capital and 11 other cities mainly due to increase in prices of food items. However, national average inflation did not go beyond eight per cent.

The residents of these cities had been experiencing the highest ever food inflation ranging between 13 and 16 per cent, thus putting pressure on the monthly budget of the lowest income group, whose earnings range from Rs3,000 to Rs12,000 per month.

Latest official figures show that food inflation in Islamabad was the highest ever for all income groups.

There was an increase of 11.5 per cent for the income group of Rs3,000, 12.3 per cent for the group whose income ranges from Rs3,001-Rs5,000; 12.8 per cent for those earning between Rs5,000-Rs12,000 and 14.2 per cent for over Rs12,000 income group.

Analysis of individual items reveals that prices of 49 commodities including fresh milk, beef, sugar, chicken, pulses, cooked mutton, honey, etc., exhibited over 10 per cent inflation year on year (YoY) in September 2006, of which some fruits and vegetables like guava, green chillies, tomatoes, etc., showed more than 30 per cent increase in prices.

Among key food items, the average price of wheat flour was recorded at Rs130.63 per 10kg during September 2006 which was 1.3 per cent higher than that in the previous month.

Fresh milk price showed a year on year increase of 11.1 per cent in September compared with 10.4 per cent in August, while increase in prices of sugar and beef was lower in September than those in August.

The highest inflation among the 12 cities was recorded in Okara (13 per cent) that was primarily due to food inflation in September 2006.

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=World_News&subsection=Pakistan+%26+Sub-Continent&month=November2006&file=World_News2006110415125.xml

There was a tender from the CAA to build a highrise tower on their pkot in Blue Area islamabad

^^source...details...please.

There was a tender from the CAA to build a highrise tower on their pkot in Blue Area islamabad


Wut ur source of new? Any details on the vision?

THE Capital Development Authority is out to give Islamabad a new face. Judging by the number of commercial, infrastructural, housing, and sport and recreational projects in the pipeline, the capital city will have a brand new image once these projects are completed within the next few years.

The most exciting commercial project is the multi-storey multi-purpose tower in Blue Area, whose construction process is scheduled to begin this year. With its futuristic eye-catching architectural design (which seems to symbolise the rolling Margalla hills and peaks), the yet-to-be-constructed building is already being dubbed as an icon that would promote and symbolise Islamabad in the same way that the now famous yacht sail design of the Burj Al-Arab, the first seven-star hotel in the world, is recognized around the world as a symbol of Dubai.

Incidentally, this would-be icon of Islamabad has been designed by the same international firm that conceptualised the Burj Al-Arab. The 30-storey building will comprise a 350-bedroom world-class hotel with a panoramic restaurant at the top capturing the views of the capital city and its mountainous skyline, a shopping mall and more than 300 service apartments. The building is said to be designed to sustain earthquakes up to 9.5 on the Richter Scale.

Four more top class hotels are also in the pipeline, viz., Sheraton Hotel in F-5, the Ritz Carlton Hotel and Le Meridian Hotel in the Convention Centre area, and the Al-Faysal Hotel in G-6.

Apart from these hotels, a string of government and private high-rise buildings will also be coming up soon. These include the Islamabad Stock Exchange Tower, the Telecom Tower and the State Life Tower (all three in Blue Area and under construction), Nadra headquarters in G-10 and CDA headquarters in G-8. Other private sector buildings include the Warid Plaza in Blue Area, Fortune Plaza in G-8/F-8, Telenor Plaza (completed) and Ammar Shopping Mall (near completion), the last two located in Jinnah Supermarket.

The tragic Margalla Towers episode notwithstanding, Islamabad’s skyline is poised to be dominated by many more multi- storey residential buildings, concentrated particularly in F-11 sector. Some of the residential buildings that are coming up or already up include Al-Rizwan Towers, Al-Mustafa Towers Valley Apartments, Crystal Courts, Park Avenue, Al-Safa Heights, Millennium Heights and Abu Dhabi Heights.

Never has Islamabad seen so much developmental activity since its establishment. Several major infrastructural projects have already been completed in the past two years. These involve mostly road construction, e.g., widening of Islamabad Highway into six lanes, dualization of Margalla Road, construction of 2nd Avenue linking Murree Road with Quaid-i-Azam University, and the extension of Constitution Avenue connecting it with Margalla Road in F-5.

The new-uniformed Islamabad Traffic Police plus the new blue-and-white-coloured road and street signs are already giving the capital a fresh new look. The standardized and improved signs are more useful for road users. For example, in the residential sectors the new street signs now indicate access to other street numbers or that the street is a no-through road. Many street signs also indicate the house numbers located in particular streets.

Many more ambitious road projects are underway or being planned. These include the Zero Point flyover, the three underpasses at Jinnah Avenue, the service road in sectors I-14 and I-15, the dualization of all service roads around each sector, Tarnol Interchange, Tarnol-Fateh Jang Road dualization, the Kashmir Highway extension (Motorway to the proposed new airport), Islamabad-Murree dual carriageway, the Ring Road project connecting Rawat to I-14, and the Pirwadhai-Faizabad Highway (the last four are under construction).

In addition to these infrastructural and commercial projects, a number of sports and recreational projects are also being executed or planned, the most prominent of which are the redevelopment of F-9 Fatima Jinnah Park, Rawal Dam area and Argentina Park; the establishment of a cultural complex at Shakarparian Hills and an Art and Craft Tourist Village at Saidpur; and the completion of the National Art Gallery. Meanwhile, some redevelopment of Pir Sohawa Point and Daman-e-Koh on the Margalla Hills as well as of Jinnah Supermarket, F-6 Supermarket and Melody Food Park have already taken place.

The road to development has not been a completely smooth-sailing one for CDA, which has been facing resistance in some of its road widening projects. CDA has tried to tackle this resistance by offering alternative places for affected stakeholders. For example, resistance to the widening of 7th and 9th Avenues by the three affected cricket clubs/grounds and a weekly bazaar have been resolved by persuading them to relocate to other nearby grounds which CDA would help to develop and equip with the latest facilities.

Resistance to the widening of a service road in the South Mauve Area from G-8 to G-10 sector also appears to have been resolved as work on widening the road has started recently. Some 38 government offices located along this road (including the Pakistan Post Headquarters, PTCL Headquarters, FIA Headquarters, KRL Hospital, the National Highway Authority and the National Police Foundation) had opposed the widening project because it would affect their car parking facilities across the road opposite their buildings.

However, two prominent development projects which have come under heavy fire, especially from environmentalists, are the Mini Golf Valley project in F-7 and the half-kilometre Margalla Tunnel through the Margalla Hills, which is supposed to link the federal capital with Haripur in NWFP expanding Islamabad in the north. The former project was terminated by a Supreme Court ruling against it two months ago.

While it is easier to develop from scratch on undeveloped grounds, it has been much more difficult to redesign and uplift old and cluttered developed areas, a process known in some countries as urban renewal or urban redevelopment. For example, CDA’s proposal to redevelop the existing Blue Area and give it a facelift has met with resistance from commercial plaza owners who are reluctant to renovate their buildings.

Moreover, CDA’s proposal of banning unwieldy and congested car parking in front of the shops and offices and its plan of establishing five multi-storey parking plazas for Blue Area visitors who will then have to pay for parking, have not exactly been met with enthusiasm either.

Similarly, CDA’s efforts to spruce up the old Aabpara Market, the first market to be established in the capital, by cleaning up encroachments, etc., have not been very successful.

Nevertheless, capital residents are watching the transformation of their city with pride. They are looking forward to the completion of the above mentioned and other mega projects like the new Islamabad International Airport and the new industrial estate at Chakri. To top it all, the capital will also be having the new GHQ in E-sector!

In fact, many feel that development is not progressing fast enough. For example, what is stalling projects such as the Zero Point flyover, the three underpasses on Jinnah Avenue and the dualization of the road from Pirwadhai to Faizabad?

Development, however, is not all concrete and stone. Development also means ensuring the provision of uninterrupted supply of essential utilities like clean water, gas and electricity to all residents of the Federal Capital Territory irrespective of sectors or zones. Annual water rationing and electricity loadshedding/cut-offs are no-nos in any modern city.

Finally, development also means the provision of affordable and qualitative healthcare and housing, as well as the provision of an efficient and reliable public transport service - something which is very much lacking in Islamabad.

Now..wasnt that F-5 hotel Essem Intercontinental? and that near convention center Hyatt?

This article also makes one think the margalla tunnel project hasnt been ruled out yet.

any idea where exactly are they gonna build those multi-story parking plazas?

Straight from UrbanPK

Designed by: N/A
Status: Proposed
Developers: CAA
Contractors: N/A
Building Type: Mix
Height: N/A
Floors Above Ground:N/A
Floors Under Ground:N/A
Office Floors:N/A
Parking Floors:N/A
Location: Plot 59, 60 , Con. Avenue, Blue Area, Islamabad

^^ Any idea where does that translates to?

http://www.urbanpk.com/forums/uploads/monthly_11_2006/post-13-1162841932.jpg

^^ Only if i cout read that well in Urdu. :)

but thanks, i will get it translated by a friend.

the source was the News i think...there was a small tender in it... i dont understand why everyone still calls the F5 hotel the Sheraton, when its now the InterContinental.

why does everyone call it intercontinental when it is Pearl Continental?:lol:

PS: It was a joke:bash:

Now..wasnt that F-5 hotel Essem Intercontinental? and that near convention center Hyatt?

This article also makes one think the margalla tunnel project hasnt been ruled out yet.

any idea where exactly are they gonna build those multi-story parking plazas?

Yes there is Sheraton in F-5. It is designed by Nayyar Ali Dada. But it is only propsed yet.

hotel Essem Intercontinental is designed by some other firm.

Next to the Grand Hyatt Hotel, there are other empty plots. My guess is they are owned by Ritz Carlton Hotel and Le Meridian Hotel companies.

I dont think the Ritz will be developed in Pakistan in the near future since Ritz's are located only in rich cities... they dont even yet have a hotel in India, France, KSA, Israel, etc etc. I think a lot of the names which get printed in articles like this get in the papers because some gov't official just names off hotel chains like "ah yes, swissotel, best western, ritz carlton etc. will[can] all open in Islamabad, insha'llah."

I dont think the Ritz will be developed in Pakistan in the near future since Ritz's are located only in rich cities... they dont even yet have a hotel in India, France, KSA, Israel, etc etc. I think a lot of the names which get printed in articles like this get in the papers because some gov't official just names off hotel chains like "ah yes, swissotel, best western, ritz carlton etc. will[can] all open in Islamabad, insha'llah."
Actually, hotels are full in Pakistan and it is very difficult to get a room these days. Even in places like Skardu getting a room in the PTDC is like pulling teeth from a tiger who got shot in the bhund.:lol:

I dont think the Ritz will be developed in Pakistan in the near future since Ritz's are located only in rich cities... they dont even yet have a hotel in India, France, KSA, Israel, etc etc. I think a lot of the names which get printed in articles like this get in the papers because some gov't official just names off hotel chains like "ah yes, swissotel, best western, ritz carlton etc. will[can] all open in Islamabad, insha'llah."

Well there are only 2-3 cities in the world that have a 7 star hotel and Islamabad is going to be the next city to have luxury 7-star hotel.

Actually, hotels are full in Pakistan and it is very difficult to get a room these days. Even in places like Skardu getting a room in the PTDC is like pulling teeth from a tiger who got shot in the bhund.:lol:


How much is a room in Islamabad? Do you have any idea?

How much is a room in Islamabad? Do you have any idea?
Depends where you want to stay.

Are you trying to question my experience in this area?

Clearly, if you are it is a futile attempt.

Depends where you want to stay.

Are you trying to question my experience in this area?

Clearly, if you are it is a futile attempt.

what the hell are you talking about? :s I was just asking how much a normal ,clean hotel room in Islamabad is.

what the hell are you talking about? :s I was just asking how much a normal ,clean hotel room in Islamabad is.
This is usually used in a sarcastic sense...


Do you have any idea?

This is usually used in a sarcastic sense...

well...

The PC in Karachi charges something like Rs. 5-6000 for a single room, I'm sure the charges in Islamabad would be somewhat similar.

Like I said it depends on what you want but I paid 5,500 at the Holiday Inn.

OMG those trolls are attacking us!
KHOOTISH
*SMACKS WITH AYUB KHAN'S STICK*
WOW, HOW DID YOU DO THAT?
I DONT KNOW BUT I DID STAY AT A HOLIDAY INN!

Like I said it depends on what you want but I paid 5,500 at the Holiday Inn.

OMG those trolls are attacking us!
KHOOTISH
*SMACKS WITH AYUB KHAN'S STICK*
WOW, HOW DID YOU DO THAT?
I DONT KNOW BUT I DID STAY AT A HOLIDAY INN!


For a night???? Rs. 5500,- per night, week?

Here, where I live the most expensive hotel charges €130,- per night.

It is very expensive indeed, as I said I called PC for the rates for one night and it blew my head off!

Rs. 5-6000 :o

It is very expensive indeed, as I said I called PC for the rates for one night and it blew my head off!

Rs. 5-6000 :o

But how can that be? Look at this hotel. This is the most expensive hotel in Rotterdam. How can a hotel in Pakistan be that expensive?

http://www.westin.nl/gfx_content/Westin_exterior_large.jpg

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/1897/21sk2.jpg

http://www.westin.nl/templates/mercury.asp?page_id=4608

In Pakistan everything is pretty much expensive.

In Pakistan everything is pretty much expensive.

But are there any hotels in Islamabad who charge Rs.10.000,- for a week?

Listen, Shangrilla in Skardu charges 30,000 rupees for one of their rooms. For just one night!

Listen, Shangrilla in Skardu charges 30,000 rupees for one of their rooms. For just one night!

ok, next year I want to stay at a hotel in Islamabad for a week but I don't want to spend a lot of money. Rs. 15000,- sounds reasonable to me. Are there any hotels that charge that kind of money?

I would really advice you to look for a Motel or something similar in Islamabad.

I personally would never spend that much money on a Hotel (For which I would pay additional for the food I eat) if I would be visiting Pakistan.

Either a motel or a cheap hotel (Local 1-2 Star), because all a person needs is a bed to sleep on.

I'm guessing you dont have a friend or relative in Islamabad?

I would really advice you to look for a Motel or something similar in Islamabad.

I personally would never spend that much money on a Hotel (For which I would pay additional for the food I eat) if I would be visiting Pakistan.

Either a motel or a cheap hotel (Local 1-2 Star), because all a person needs is a bed to sleep on.

I'm guessing you dont have a friend or relative in Islamabad?

correct, you are right. I don't want to spend that money on a hotel. 1/2-star hotel/motel is good. I am planning to stay there with family. We are originally from Gujrat.

I would even stay at the local hotels around Cantt. Station in Karachi. They would charge something like 1000-1500 for a day or so.

Not bad considering that I would be out in the day and would just return back to sleep.

I agree hotels in Pakistan r expensive.

PC really charges Rs.5000/night~!!! n getting a room in not so easy!

Why dont you just make a friend who lives in Islamabad. It might be cost effective!

Actually, hotels are full in Pakistan and it is very difficult to get a room these days. Even in places like Skardu getting a room in the PTDC is like pulling teeth from a tiger who got shot in the bhund.:lol:

This doesn't address what I stated. Rooms in Pakistan may be hard to come by, but Ritz Carltons charge anywhere from $300-$550 per double room, which is something like 15,000-25,000 Rs. per night... What im saying is that there isnt enough of a market in Pakistan for rooms that expensive... Something less expensive like a Hyatt or Holiday Inn might do just fine, but Ritz Carltons only open up in cities where there's a strong market for very expensive hotel rooms.

This doesn't address what I stated. Rooms in Pakistan may be hard to come by, but Ritz Carltons charge anywhere from $300-$550 per double room, which is something like 15,000-25,000 Rs. per night... What im saying is that there isnt enough of a market in Pakistan for rooms that expensive... Something less expensive like a Hyatt or Holiday Inn might do just fine, but Ritz Carltons only open up in cities where there's a strong market for very expensive hotel rooms.
If there isnt a market why is it difficult to get a room?

If there isnt a market why is it difficult to get a room?

Again, you've missed my point. There may be a market for rooms, but theres not a market for 15,000 Rs. rooms. Lets say I need to get a car, that doesnt necessarily mean im in the market for a Ferrari, i just need a car. Same with the hotel rooms... hotel rooms are in need, not super-expensive hotel rooms.

Again, you've missed my point. There may be a market for rooms, but theres not a market for 15,000 Rs. rooms. Lets say I need to get a car, that doesnt necessarily mean im in the market for a Ferrari, i just need a car. Same with the hotel rooms... hotel rooms are in need, not super-expensive hotel rooms.
There is always a market big or small but that is why they do not have that many rooms in the hotels that will cost you that much. It is all about supply and demand. Since demand is low for a room at that price the supply will be equally low so profits arent lost.

I am sure if they come to Pakistan they will adjust the pricing for normal rooms.

I personally find Rs. 6,000 VERY VERY VERY cheap. In fact I am amazed that you can actually find a room for that low.

Just for comparison, in the off-season, I was finding a room in Sharjah. Mind you, Sharjah, not Dubai. The cheapest I found was for Dhs. 250 (~Rs. 4,000). And it was average at best, with hardly any facilities. So I personally find Pakistani rooms rents very cheap.

I'd really like to know how 6,000 is deemed expensive.

Work underway to expand roads, highways

Online

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has started work to expand roads and highways in order to meet the unabated flow of traffic in the capital.

Chairman CDA Kamran Lashari has directed different departments not only to complete the projects in time but also to pay special attention for construction of the different projects.

The construction of service road in F-10 sector had been completed whereas construction work was underway of Khayaban Iqbal project in F-10 and the project would be completed at the end of this year.

Khayaban Iqbal project in F-11 would cost of Rs 37 million and would be completed in July 2007. After the completion of Kulsum Plaza underpass, two new underpasses at G-6 Khushal Road and F-6 and F-7 college road would be constructed.

CDA to give presentation to PM on Islamabad's revised master plan

ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP): The Capital Development Authority (CDA) will give a comprehensive briefing to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on the revised master plan of Islamabad on November 17, a CDA official said Monday.

The official said the Authority has made some major amendments in the first draft of the revised master plan on the directives of the Inter-ministerial Committee.

"After approval by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz a draft of the revised master plan will be presented to the federal cabinet for final approval," he said.

The Authority has been in constant touch with the Prime Minister House while preparing the recommendations in the revised master plan and a number of meetings were held in the past few months in this respect, he said.

"One of the key focus areas in the revised master plan is increase in the number of residential sectors given in the previous master plan up to 68 in order to cope with the growing housing shortage in the federal capital," the official said.

The CDA contracted a London based consultant firm Macdonald Pakistan to suggest measures to revise the master plan that was drawn up over four decades. The firm was also commissioned to prepare a master plan for Zone IV of the federal capital.

The official said the Authority has proposed extension in municipal limits of Islamabad in the revised plan and including rural areas like Bara Kahu in municipal limits of the federal capital. as well whether that province was the Punjab or NWFP

Sources said if a decision to extend Islamabad's limits was taken then constitutional amendment would be required at the federal level and at the provincial in Punjab and NWFP.

At present, the jurisdictions of the Authority are limited to Islamabad city only while rural areas are not within its jurisdictions.

The total area of Islamabad is 906.0 sq. km which includes 287.5 sq. km of municipal area and 618.5 sq. km of rural area.

With the extension in municipal limits of Islamabad, the population of rural areas of the federal capital would get all the municipal facilities. However, they would have to pay taxes including water charges and property tax in return for the facilities.

The proposals took into account views of public representatives, residents, representatives of professional bodies, cooperative societies, welfare societies, NGOs and planners," the official said.

Regarding Zone-IV the consultant has made proposals on whether and how the existing orchards and farms in the area should be expanded while protecting drinking water sources and environment.

In the revised master plan sites have also been identified for use in an emergency for setting up tent villages and field hospitals so that the capital city could have specified places for relief activities in the hour of need, he said.

I personally find Rs. 6,000 VERY VERY VERY cheap. In fact I am amazed that you can actually find a room for that low.

Just for comparison, in the off-season, I was finding a room in Sharjah. Mind you, Sharjah, not Dubai. The cheapest I found was for Dhs. 250 (~Rs. 4,000). And it was average at best, with hardly any facilities. So I personally find Pakistani rooms rents very cheap.

I'd really like to know how 6,000 is deemed expensive.
So says the armchair expat!:lol:

Look up the average income of Pakistanis...

Actually, I am live in Karachi.

As for poor Pakis, well, hotels rooms are usually booked by foreigners and companies. And lastly, average Pakistanis don't stay at PC/Sheraton/Marrriott/etc.

Actually, I am live in Karachi.

As for poor Pakis, well, hotels rooms are usually booked by foreigners and companies. And lastly, average Pakistanis don't stay at PC/Sheraton/Marrriott/etc.
That is a 100 dollars per night!

Thats not easy cash buddy.

That is a 100 dollars per night!

Thats not easy cash buddy.

If you stay at that hotel for a week it would cost you half lac lol. I must say Pakistanis are crazy.

Damn the guy thinks 100 bucks a night is cheap. WTF.

edit: happy now kbboy?

^^ whatever the guy thinks ...and whatever your reaction is....DONOT accuse someone's father/mother or any other relation. Besides, you dont really know who he/she is?

It is impolite and disrespectful to do so, and i hope you will agree with me on this.

^^ whatever the guy thinks ...and whatever your reaction is....DONOT accuse someone's father/mother or any other relation. Besides, you dont really know who he/she is?

It is impolite and disrespectful to do so, and i hope you will agree with me on this.
Alright, Prince Charles!:naughty:

^^ lol
u could have said Jacques Chirac....

but seriously, i find that impolite to make statements on someones parents for this things he/she is responsible for.

Let's just agree to disagree on this. And I don't know what he/she said, but I hardly care. You can call my mom a low-rent whore for all I care. Anyone saying anything doesn't actually make it so. I take it in my stride.

Anyway, I'll tell you why I disagree. Let's forget if it's cheap or not (I think it really is). What I want to say in addition to what I already have is that if this is the rate then I don't see much potential in Karachi. Hotel rates are almost governed by demand and supply. If the demand is setting the rate of the BEST hotel at just $100, it's just too low. Let's call it expensive, the adjective is meaningless. When I say cheap, what I really mean is that demand is too low. And for anyone who wants to know, my girlfriend has been in the hotel and tourism industry for the last 7 years, and I talk with her of different markets (these days just UAE). So I am not just bullshitting, but rather comparing it with other growing markets. To cut it short, Karachi is a crap market if the demand sets the price of a room at the best hotel at $100. And this is my point of view. I don't really want to discuss it any further if the only thing you want to do is refute, unless someone has a legitimate counterpoint. If you disagree, then I already know, so that's fine.

Have a nice day!

Wat da hell is going on over here boyz???
This is the 'Progress News & Updates' section.
If u r so concerned abt the rents talk about in the hotel industry thread and keep this thread clear!!

:nuts:

Let's just agree to disagree on this. And I don't know what he/she said, but I hardly care. You can call my mom a low-rent whore for all I care. Anyone saying anything doesn't actually make it so. I take it in my stride.

Oo baba araaam say... didn't say anything of the sort...just said keh if you find 100 bucks a day cheap then your dad must be from the government of NS or BB for sure. That's all i said.

Work on zoo-cum-botanical garden from January 5

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Environment Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat said that construction work on a national zoo-cum-botanical garden would begin on January 5, 2007.

He said this on Tuesday after attending a meeting to review pace of work on the project in Bani Gala near the Simly Dam. He said four months ago he had asked the authorities to complete the spadework on the project and now construction work would begin from the first week of January next year, he added.

The minister said only China and Malaysia had this facility. He said it is one of the major initiatives taken by the government, which would enhance the beauty of Islamabad. “The project will change the face of city turning it into one of the most modern city of the world,” the minister said.

The zoo would be located on 725 acres and the ministry was considering the public-private cooperation to implement the project. “The project will help preserve nature and promote tourism,” the minister added.

The minister said, “The project will include an arboretum, an ethnobotanics, an insectariums, wetlands, an exotica, pine safaris, an avifauna, a snake house, and a national gene bank.” Besides, it would host a research centre, kid corners, adventure heights, family compounds, a central library and an auditorium for academia, researchers, students and general public, he added.

He said that it showed government’s commitment to meet the millennium development goals set for the year 2015.

The minister accompanied by Minister of State for Housing and Works Sardar Asif Nakai and the authorities inspected the site of the project. The minister asked the authorities to expedite the pace of work with strict monitoring and cooperation and bring the encroachers to book. app

Safari Homes by AArea at Bahria Town
http://www.lahorerealestate.com/ads/public/img-1164886061.jpg

Nice quality I must say...

Nice quality I must say...

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Must be one of those 200 megapixel camera's that Libya has just made.

^^ they did?

:lol:

pakboy's infatuation of bahria town:lol:
main tere payar main pagal pagal ..........

to be honest bahria town has its own charm and beauty, whether in islamabad or lahore. i went to the bahria town islamabad and lahore and i have to say i was very impressed.

I was impressed by how empty the one in Lahore was actually. It is like driving for a hour and then reaching the Safari Villas to finally see civilization.

pakboy's infatuation of bahria town:lol:
main tere payar main pagal pagal ..........

i dnt have a infatuation of bahria, i admire them and admire them even more for being the only real estate developers in pakistan of international standards, DHA is really a shame, it is suppose to be the most posh community in pakistan but its quality is so poor, there new phrase 5 had just been completed and it didnt even have sidewalks, even little schemes are making sidewalks thesedays and they still cant be bothered to put electric wires u/g,

ISLAMABAD (December 03 2006): The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Saturday approved seven uplift schemes worth over Rs 2 billion. CDA Development Working Party (CDADWP) met here with Kamran Lashari in the chair.

According to the information, the approved projects include construction of fly-over-com underpasses at Jinnah and Faisal Avenue at around Rs 982 million, construction of underpasses at China Chock at Rs 792.02 million, construction of car parking at Daman-e-Koh and procurement of Public cabs and Generators for Daman-e-Koh at around Rs 75 million, widening of Peer Sohawa Road phase-II at Rs 57.75 million, whereas Rs over Rs 30 million would be spent on the overall improvement of Jinnah Super Market and Dualisation of 4-km long Parbat Road from G-6 to G-7 whose cost is yet to finalised due to revision existing cost.

According to the sources, Rs 792 million cost of underpasses at Daman-e-Koh would be revised. Besides, the construction of three underpasses at different sites of Faisal Avenue was also discussed in the meeting, sources added.

Construction work on the proposed underpasses at China Chowk and Faisal Avenue-Jinnah Avenue crossing would start in February, sources said adding that consultancy firm hired by the CDA has prepared projects designs.

Earlier, the Authority has reserved Rs 490 million for the Kulsoom Plaza underpass while funds have also been allocated for the fly-over-cum-underpass at Faisal Avenue Chowk.

It is learnt that the Authority would have to shift the services passing through the intersection to start the project. The CDA is already spending Rs 100 million on shifting these lines from Kulsoom Chowk and almost the same amount will be required to re-located service lines from Faisal Avenue.

i dnt have a infatuation of bahria, i admire them and admire them even more for being the only real estate developers in pakistan of international standards, DHA is really a shame, it is suppose to be the most posh community in pakistan but its quality is so poor, there new phrase 5 had just been completed and it didnt even have sidewalks, even little schemes are making sidewalks thesedays and they still cant be bothered to put electric wires u/g,

DHA Phase 5 has u/g electric wires!

DHA Phase 5 has u/g electric wires!

that is only in the main areas i think, i have seen electric wires in some places.

also maintainence is pretty bad there to, most of the roads got damged during construction and DHA havnt bothered to fix them