The federal government is considering converting Islamabad’s Shaheed-i-Millat Secretariat into a luxury five-star hotel ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit scheduled for October 2027.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a high-level committee comprising the interior, housing and finance ministers, along with senior federal secretaries, to examine the proposal.
The move is aimed at increasing Islamabad’s accommodation capacity ahead of the SCO Council of Heads of State conference, which is expected to bring around 35 VVIPs and more than 3,000 foreign guests to the capital.
The Shaheed-i-Millat Secretariat has been identified as a suitable option because of its central location and proximity to the Red Zone and key government installations.
Located on Plot No. 04 in Sector F-6/1, between Jinnah Avenue in Blue Area and Nazimuddin Road, the building stands on a 4,411-square-yard plot that was allotted to the House Building Finance Corporation (HBFC) in 1975.
The building has a total covered area of around 251,774 square feet, including basement facilities and multiple access points.
Its ground floor already features a dedicated VIP entrance, security screening facilities, a bell desk, reception areas and waiting lounges. The mezzanine floor covers around 15,170 square feet and could be used for hospitality and support services.
A preliminary technical assessment has found that floors three to 16 could be converted into a luxury hotel with around 128 guest rooms and 64 suites. The proposed development could also include a rooftop restaurant and penthouse facilities.
The proposal was recently presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by former Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman Sohail Ashraf, after which the committee was formed to evaluate its feasibility.
The Ministry of Housing and the Estate Office have appointed a focal person to coordinate with the committee and other government departments.
Officials have also dismissed concerns about the building’s structural condition following a previous fire, saying the structure is sound and suitable for use.
The committee is currently gathering information from the CDA and the Estate Office. Once its assessment is completed, the proposal will be presented to the federal cabinet for final approval.
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