ISLAMABAD, August 21, 2025 – The long-delayed multi-story parking plaza in Islamabad’s Blue Area remains incomplete more than two years after its original July 2023 deadline, causing worsening traffic congestion, blocked service lanes, and severe parking shortages in one of the capital’s busiest commercial hubs.
Official correspondence from private stakeholders, including Nayatel, highlights the growing frustration over the delay. In a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif dated November 21, 2024, Nayatel CEO Wahaj Siraj stressed that the prolonged construction and closure of adjacent service lanes have created an unfavorable environment for businesses, particularly during visits from foreign investors and dignitaries.
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Earlier, on October 10, 2024, another letter was sent to Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa, citing severe disruptions for more than 900 employees as well as the general public. The situation has worsened following the removal of temporary parking arrangements by the Islamabad Traffic Police, leaving commuters and workers with no viable alternatives.
The incomplete project has also negatively impacted nearby businesses, including a well-known restaurant in the area, where visitors continue to struggle with the lack of parking. The shortage of accessible space has not only deterred customers but has also intensified traffic bottlenecks during peak hours.
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Records show that as early as March 2022, stakeholders had repeatedly appealed to CDA to either provide alternative parking facilities or ensure the swift completion of the plaza. However, no substantial corrective measures have been taken to address the crisis.
With pressure mounting, business owners, employees, and residents are now calling for urgent action, demanding that the CDA prioritize the plaza’s completion and clear the occupied service roads to restore normalcy in Islamabad’s commercial center.
