A meeting chaired by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was held in Islamabad, during which a detailed review was conducted of measures to improve the federal capital’s hospitality sector in line with international standards ahead of the SCO Summit. The meeting reviewed the completion of hotels under construction, the renovation of existing hotels, and measures to provide world-class facilities to guests.
It was decided during the meeting that hotel construction and improvement projects in Islamabad would be completed at a fast pace ahead of the SCO Summit to ensure the provision of the best accommodation and other facilities to foreign heads of state, delegations and distinguished guests arriving to attend the important international gathering.
On this occasion, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi directed that effective measures be taken to complete all hotels under construction in Islamabad and that the issues faced by hotel owners be resolved immediately. He also directed that special measures be taken to renovate existing hotels, improve their facilities and bring their service standards in line with international requirements.
Mohsin Naqvi said that contacts should be established to link local hotels with international hotel chains so that global standards could be introduced in Pakistan’s hospitality sector and Islamabad’s hotels could secure a better position at the international level.
The meeting was also given a detailed briefing on the plan to convert One Constitution Avenue into an international-standard hotel. In this regard, it was decided that an international-standard mall would also be constructed in the building adjacent to the hotel, which would make it possible to provide modern commercial and recreational facilities in the federal capital.
The Federal Interior Minister directed the relevant authorities to ensure that construction work on the One Constitution Avenue project begins on January 1 under all circumstances and that all necessary administrative and other matters are completed on time.
The availability of a trained workforce for Islamabad’s hospitality sector was also discussed during the meeting. The Interior Minister directed that special courses be launched in collaboration with relevant training institutions so that trained staff for hotel management, hospitality and other related fields would be available by the time the new hotels become operational. The purpose of this initiative is to bring the quality of services at hotels in line with international requirements.
Progress on the renovation of the Convention Centre and the construction of a new hall was also reviewed during the meeting. In this regard, the relevant authorities were directed to accelerate work on the projects so that modern and standard facilities would be available for hosting conferences and international events ahead of the SCO Summit.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that Islamabad must be fully prepared for the SCO Summit and that arrangements should be ensured in keeping with the stature of the distinguished guests arriving to attend this globally significant gathering. All relevant institutions should work in a coordinated manner to improve accommodation, hospitality and conference facilities in the federal capital in accordance with international standards.
