Plan Unveiled to Transform Islamabad’s Kohsar Complex into Smoke-Free Government Facility

ISLAMABAD: A comprehensive plan has been unveiled to transform the Kohsar Complex into a clean, green and smoke-free government facility, aimed at improving working conditions, operational efficiency and the overall environment for employees and visitors.

The plan was discussed at a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry. The session followed an earlier meeting held in the first week of July, which focused on urgent repair and maintenance requirements of the complex.

Located in the Red Zone near the Pakistan Secretariat on Constitution Avenue, the Kohsar Complex houses several federal ministries and government departments. Senior officials, including secretaries, joint secretaries and representatives from all ministries operating in the complex, attended the meeting, reflecting shared concerns over longstanding administrative and operational issues.

Participants highlighted problems such as traffic congestion, poor parking management, frequent lift malfunctions and the absence of basic facilities, including a cafeteria or coffee shop. While proposals to expand the existing parking area were discussed, the meeting agreed that better management of available space should be prioritised over physical expansion.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Junaid Chaudhry emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to ensure cleanliness, order and environmental responsibility within the complex. He described Kohsar Complex as a public-facing government facility that should reflect professionalism, discipline and efficiency in its day-to-day operations.

The minister also stressed the importance of making the building smoke-free and climate-resilient, in line with the government’s broader sustainability and environmental objectives. He said improving internal traffic flow and parking arrangements was essential to reduce congestion and inconvenience faced by employees and visitors.

Secretary of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs Syed Zafar Ali Shah noted that many of the issues were common across ministries and could be resolved through collective action rather than isolated measures. He underscored the importance of regular coordination and shared responsibility to maintain consistent operational standards.

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Secretary of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani proposed a structured division of responsibilities among the ministries housed in the complex. He suggested assigning specific tasks to individual ministries and offered that his ministry could take responsibility for overall cleanliness. Under the proposal, associated costs would be shared, and cleaning and maintenance services could be outsourced following a needs assessment.

The meeting concluded with an understanding that the proposals would be followed by concrete steps and timelines. Officials agreed that the objective was to improve daily operations, enhance safety and create a healthier, more functional and welcoming environment at the Kohsar Complex for government staff and the public alike.

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