Jinnah Convention Centre gets a facelift

The renovation and decoration work at the Jinnah Convention Centre for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in the capital has been completed.

According to sources from the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the facility has now been handed over to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The renovation, which included the installation of state-of-the-art flooring, SMD screens, modern lighting, and other improvements, was completed in just 40 days, at a cost of approximately Rs2 billion. Additionally, the route from the guests' entry points to Constitution Avenue has been refurbished and adorned for the occasion.

CDA officials revealed that the Environment Department is also adding to the aesthetics by planting flowers along all the designated routes.

To save costs, many items along these routes were recycled and upgraded.

Chief Commissioner of Islamabad and CDA Chairman, Muhammad Ali Randhawa has been overseeing daily inspections of the preparations.

Roads throughout the city have been cleaned, with fresh lane markings and newly painted sidewalks. Flyovers and bridges along the summit routes have also been renovated and outfitted with special lighting for night-time.

Flags of participating countries have been hoisted along the routes, and 91 poles have been equipped with digital streamers, which will remain after the summit and generate revenue through digital advertising.

Meanwhile, district administration sources have dismissed rumours of a government-ordered closure of wedding halls, restaurants, and cafes during the SCO summit.