Govt mulls converting Shaheed-i-Millat Secretariat in Islamabad into five-star hotel

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani federal government is contemplating transforming the Shaheed-i-Millat Secretariat in the nation's capital into a five-star hotel. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established a high-profile committee comprising the interior, housing and finance ministers, along with several federal secretaries, to investigate the proposal.

Officials from the Ministry of Housing and Capital Development Authority revealed that the proposal is being evaluated with the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in October 2027 in mind. The SCO Council of Heads of State conference, expected to gather approximately 35 VVIPs and over 3,000 foreign guests, will be held in Islamabad in October 2027.

The Shaheed-i-Millat Secretariat, situated in the bustling heart of Islamabad, is deemed an ideal choice for conversion owing to its strategic location, direct access to key infrastructure, and proximity to the Red Zone and vital government establishments. The building, constructed on a 4,411-square-yard plot, covers a total of 251,774 square feet, including basement areas and multiple access points.

The ground floor features a VIP entrance, security screening, a bell desk, reception lounges, and the mezzanine level, measuring around 15,170 square feet, provides space for ancillary hospitality and service functions. A preliminary evaluation of the building suggests that floors three to sixteen are suitable for retrofitting into a luxury hotel, accommodating approximately 128 guest rooms and 64 luxury suites, with rooftop restaurant and penthouse facilities.

The proposal for converting the building into a luxury five-star hotel was recently presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by CDA retired Chairman Sohail Ashraf. The Housing Ministry has formed a high-profile committee to further examine the matter, with the report expected to be submitted to the federal cabinet for approval.

The Ministry and Estate Office have also appointed a focal point to coordinate smoothly with the committee and other government departments. CDA officials confirm the development, stating that the prime minister has formed a committee to explore converting the building into a luxury hotel. The CDA has been working towards enhancing Islamabad's international-standard hotel infrastructure, with a shortage of around 1,000 top-class rooms to be filled by new and expanded hotels in the coming months.