The usually quiet and security-heavy Islamabad’s Diplomatic Enclave is set to get a healthy and lively makeover.
In a fresh development push, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to set aside land for cycling tracks and a sports complex in the enclave — a space that houses embassies, missions, and high-security offices.
The plan also includes building a fully equipped event hall, food courts, and small kiosks to bring life to an area better known for guarded gates than public activity.
The decision came during a meeting at CDA Headquarters chaired by CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa. Senior board members and heads of key departments — from planning to engineering and environment — were in attendance.
Officials went over a wide-ranging beautification and development plan: upgraded roads, eco-friendly tree plantations, landscaped green belts, modern streetlights, better parking spots, and improved security arrangements.
One of the major calls was to redesign the entry and exit gates of the enclave, install more CCTV cameras, and link them to Islamabad’s Safe City network. “Security and accessibility have to go hand in hand,” one senior official remarked during the discussion.
Cycling tracks in the enclave may sound unusual to many Islamabad residents — but CDA officials say this is exactly the point.
“This area has always been closed off and formal. We want to bring a little openness and healthy activity here,” a planning department representative told the meeting.
The sports complex is expected to cater to both recreational players and formal events, while the event hall will allow the enclave to host exhibitions, cultural shows, and diplomatic gatherings in one secure yet vibrant space.
For Islamabad’s residents, the project could mean more than just new buildings. If delivered as promised, it would offer safe cycling routes, recreational facilities, and modern spaces for events — all within a secure zone.
For foreign visitors and diplomats, it could project a friendlier, greener image of Pakistan’s capital, where security is balanced with quality of life.
Urban experts have a strong faith that such projects can also have indirect benefits: promoting non-motorized transport to cut emissions, creating more public spaces that encourage community interaction, and raising property values in the surrounding areas.
Chairman Randhawa directed that landscaping and plantation along the enclave’s roads be completed quickly to make it “one of the most attractive parts of Islamabad.”
He stressed that the project must meet high standards while moving ahead without unnecessary delays. “We are using all available resources to make Islamabad a well-organized city of international standards,” he said.
Work is anticipated to start immediately — and if the pace matches the promise, the Diplomatic Enclave could soon become a rare example in the city where beauty, security, and community activity blend together.