CDA Chairman Pushes for Timely Completion of Islamabad’s First Jail
Sohail Ashraf inspects H-16 prison project, directs officials to maintain construction standards, ensure essential facilities and complete remaining work within the approved timeline.
ISLAMABAD: October 18, 2026: Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Sohail Ashraf visited the under-construction Islamabad Model Jail in Sector H-16 on Sunday to review the progress of development work and assess preparations for the completion of the long-awaited prison project.
During the inspection, Sohail Ashraf examined various sections of the facility, reviewed ongoing construction activities and assessed the development of essential infrastructure required for the prison to become operational.
The Chairman CDA was accompanied by the Director General (Services) CDA, the relevant Assistant Commissioner and senior officers of the Islamabad Jail administration.
Project officials briefed him on the current status of construction, progress achieved so far and the timeline established for completing the remaining development work.
Sohail Ashraf discussed construction quality, compliance with approved engineering standards and the provision of essential facilities with the relevant officials. He directed the project management team to ensure that all remaining work is completed according to the approved schedule without compromising construction standards.
He particularly emphasized the importance of maintaining quality across the facility and ensuring that the necessary infrastructure and services are available before the project becomes operational.
Progress on Islamabad’s Long-Awaited Prison
The Islamabad Model Jail project, located in Sector H-16, is being developed to provide the federal capital with a dedicated correctional facility.
Spread over approximately 90 acres, the project was originally designed to accommodate 2,000 inmates, with provisions for expanding capacity by another 2,000 in the future.
The development includes prisoner barracks, administrative buildings, medical facilities, security infrastructure and other supporting services.
During an earlier inspection in June 2026, CDA officials reported that two prisoner barracks had been completed, while construction of a third had reached approximately 95 percent. The jail hospital, watchtowers and security posts had also been reported completed, with work continuing on external infrastructure, drainage, water supply and other facilities.
These figures reflected the position reported in June and were not presented as updated completion statistics during Sunday’s inspection.
Completion Timeline Remains Under Focus
The project has experienced repeated delays over the years, prompting judicial scrutiny and continued intervention by federal authorities.
In January 2026, the Justice Committee for Islamabad Capital Territory, chaired by Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar, directed the relevant authorities to complete the facility by June 30, 2026, with arrangements for transferring Islamabad prisoners expected to begin thereafter.
However, construction and associated development work remained ongoing beyond that deadline.
More recently, on September 24, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi directed the relevant departments to complete outstanding construction, administrative and operational arrangements ahead of a planned inauguration in October.
The latest inspection by the CDA chairman comes against this backdrop, with authorities continuing to review the remaining work and preparations required to bring the facility into operation.
The October 18 press release did not disclose an updated overall construction completion percentage or announce a confirmed inauguration date.
Government Funding and Infrastructure Development
The Islamabad Model Jail is also among the federal government’s ongoing development schemes.
According to the Public Sector Development Programme for 2026–27, the project carries an approved cost of approximately Rs7.399 billion, with Rs1 billion allocated during the current financial year.
The facility is intended to strengthen correctional infrastructure in Islamabad and improve the management and accommodation of prisoners associated with the federal capital.
During Sunday’s visit, Chairman CDA Sohail Ashraf reiterated that effective coordination, regular monitoring and administrative supervision must remain central to the project’s execution.
He directed all relevant officials to maintain the required construction standards, ensure the availability of essential facilities and complete the project within the approved timeline.
The inspection forms part of the CDA administration’s continuing oversight of major development projects across Islamabad, with particular emphasis on construction quality, operational readiness and timely completion.
