Shehbaz Forms High-Level Committee to Review One Constitution Avenue Dispute After IHC Ruling

Key facts

• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif constituted a high-level committee on Friday to review the One Constitution Avenue matter.
• The committee is headed by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and includes Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the Cabinet Secretary, and the Commerce Secretary.
• to the prime minister within one week.
• Police and district administration took control of the multi-storey residential building following an Islamabad High Court ruling.
• Residents were instructed to vacate their apartments by midnight; several flats were already vacated.
• The case centers on the CDA's cancellation of the project's lease, which BNP Company challenged in the IHC.
• IHC Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar dismissed the petition against the lease cancellation and disposed of related applications by apartment owners.
• The Islamabad administration and CDA have been directed to refrain from further action until the prime minister's final decision.

Police Take Control of Building as Residents Evacuate

Police teams were deployed at all entry points of One Constitution Avenue on Friday, and residents were ordered to vacate their apartments by midnight. Several flats had already been emptied, while occupants of some units were still moving their belongings. The move came a day after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued a ruling in a long-running dispute over the cancellation of the project's lease.

Prime Minister Intervenes with High-Level Committee

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday constituted a high-level committee to review the matter, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office. The committee is chaired by Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar and includes Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the Cabinet Secretary, and the Commerce Secretary. Its task is to examine all aspects of the issue and submit a comprehensive report within one week.

Affected Residents Granted Hearing

During the review period, all affected individuals will be allowed to present their concerns before the committee, which will hear all parties and stakeholders without discrimination. The prime minister's office stated that the committee was formed to ensure that the requirements of justice are fully met in the One Constitution Avenue case. Until a final decision is made, the Islamabad administration and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) have been directed to refrain from any further action.

IHC Ruling Dismisses Lease Cancellation Challenge

The case centers on the CDA's cancellation of the project's lease. BNP Company had challenged the decision in the IHC, seeking restoration of the lease. IHC Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar announced a short order dismissing the petition against the lease cancellation and disposing of related applications filed by apartment owners. Residents had argued that the CDA approved the building plan and issued a no-objection certificate (NOC), after which apartments were purchased, and that the dispute was between the CDA and the developer.

Timeline and Next Steps

to the prime minister. During this period, the Islamabad administration and CDA must maintain the status quo. The prime minister will then make a final decision based on the committee's findings. The situation remains tense as residents continue to vacate their homes under the midnight deadline.

The bottom line

• A high-level committee led by the law minister will review the One Constitution Avenue dispute within one week.
• Police have taken control of the building and residents face a midnight evacuation deadline.
• The IHC dismissed BNP Company's petition against the CDA's lease cancellation.
• The government has paused further administrative action pending the prime minister's final decision.
• Residents claim they purchased apartments in good faith after CDA approval, arguing the dispute is between the developer and the authority.