ISLAMABAD: The federal government plans to launch a new wave of development projects in Islamabad in 2026, following the completion of 18 major schemes worth Rs15 billion during the outgoing year, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media after the opening of the Shaheen Chowk underpass, the minister said the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had completed several key infrastructure projects in 2025, including five mega road schemes aimed at easing traffic congestion in the capital. The underpass, located on Khayaban-i-Iqbal (Margalla Road) at the junction of 9th Avenue, was opened for traffic on the last day of the year, though its formal inauguration will be carried out later by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Mr Naqvi said the underpass was opened as part of New Year celebrations to provide immediate relief to motorists who regularly faced bottlenecks at the busy intersection, particularly during peak hours. The project, initially estimated at Rs1.3 billion, was launched on October 24 and scheduled for completion in 150 days but was finished in just 63 days. Its cost increased by around 15 per cent due to design changes, including extending the underpass barrel from 56 metres to 85 metres.
Listing completed projects, the interior minister said the Serena Interchange, Murree Road underpass, F-8 Interchange, T Chowk flyover, Shaheen Chowk underpass, Park Road and the Business Facilitation Centre were among the major schemes finalised during the year. He congratulated the CDA team, contractors and interior ministry officials for completing the projects within tight timelines.
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Looking ahead, Mr Naqvi announced that “Vision 2027”, a two-year development programme for Islamabad, would be unveiled in January. Under this plan, special emphasis will be placed on enhancing greenery, revamping parks and improving the city’s overall outlook. He said the number of development projects completed in 2026 would be double those finalised in 2025.
The minister said his four main priorities for the coming year included beautification, expansion of entertainment facilities, increasing green spaces and addressing what he described as the city’s “dull feeling”. He added that efforts were underway to attract major restaurant chains to Islamabad and that teams had visited other large cities to invite leading brands. Plans are also in place to establish a new convention centre and an expo centre next year.
The minister said a large number of new projects will be launched in Islamabad in 2026.https://t.co/Awq6Uq8xMs
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) January 1, 2026
Mr Naqvi said tree preservation was being prioritised during development work, adding that road alignments had been altered in some cases to avoid cutting trees. He reiterated that for every tree removed, 100 plants were being planted as replacement. He also announced that work on a new cricket stadium in Islamabad would begin soon.
Responding to questions about the demolition of slums, the minister said action was being taken only against encroachments on state land and that officials found facilitating illegal construction would also face action.
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