{
  "id": 9902557,
  "title": "CDA calls bids to upgrade Jinnah Convention Centre ahead of SCO summit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/cda-calls-bids-to-upgrade-jinnah-convention-centre-ahead-of-sco-summit",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T04:01:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2032645/cda-calls-bids-to-upgrade-jinnah-convention-centre-ahead-of-sco-summit"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has issued calls for bids to upgrade the Jinnah Convention Centre and build a new block for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in August 2027. Initially, the CDA aimed to construct the New Islamabad Convention, Exhibition and Expo Centre (NICEEC) near Malpur, but due to a lack of time, they have shifted their focus to enhancing the existing Jinnah Convention Centre. Tenders were recently called for pre-qualification of firms for the NICEEC project and the modernization of the Jinnah Convention Centre, with a deadline of October 9 for construction firms to submit proposals. The CDA's primary goal is now the expansion of the Jinnah Convention Centre, with the possibility of linking the new NICEEC facility to it. The project received the lowest bid of Rs37 billion, but due to a lack of progress, the CDA dropped the plan. Officials have expressed concern over the tight timeline, urging the CDA to start the project early and complete it by mid-July, at least a month before the SCO summit. The CDA is estimated to spend around Rs12 billion on the project, but final estimates have not been finalized.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has called bids for the upgradation of Jinnah Convention Centre, besides construction of a new block for next year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit . The SCO summit is likely to be held in August next year. Earlier, the CDA wanted to construct the mega New Islamabad Convention, Exhibition and Expo Centre (NICEEC) project near the…",
  "key_points": [
    "CDA issues bids for Jinnah Convention Centre upgrade ahead of SCO summit.",
    "Tenders called for pre-qualification and modernization, deadline October 9.",
    "Project aims to expand Jinnah Centre, possibly link to new NICEEC facility."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Shifting focus to upgrading the Jinnah Convention Centre from building a new facility indicates a scramble to meet the tight deadline for the SCO summit, likely straining the CDA's budget and timeline.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}