Islamabad Manhattan
High-Rise District & Safari Park

The project is a 1,000-acre master-planned high-rise skyscraper and financial district unveiled by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at the Saudi-Pakistan Real Estate Exhibition (SPREX). Located behind the Prime Minister's House in the Margalla foothills, it introduces Pakistan's first zero-upfront land cost model, where developers bid on mega plots (1, 3, and 6 acres) by offering the government a share of completed built-up inventory (starting at 15%). Every building must meet a strict minimum height of 600 feet (50+ storeys).

Following the Supreme Court's landmark 2024 judgments prohibiting commercial encroachment inside the Margalla Hills National Park (Zone 3), the government has delineated the 1,000-acre tract outside the gazetted MHNP biological boundary. The project operates under a specialized regulatory regime established by the Ministry of Interior, complete with Pak-EPA environmental buffer zones, strict green building certifications, and independent oversight by a sitting Judge to ensure zero encroachment onto protected national reserve land.

Unlike traditional auctions where developers lock up billions of rupees upfront to purchase commercial land, the government provides the plot with zero initial cash payment. In return, the developer constructs the skyscraper entirely at their own cost within a strict 3-year deadline. Bidding starts at 15% of the completed building's inventory (apartments, offices, or retail area) allocated to the government, with plots awarded to the highest inventory share bidder.

The 600-foot (approx. 50 storeys) minimum height requirement is designed to force vertical density, prevent horizontal urban sprawl into Islamabad's green valleys, and establish a world-class skyline comparable to Manhattan or Dubai. Because Islamabad lies near the Main Boundary Thrust (Seismic Zone 2B/3), all buildings must undergo dynamic load testing, wind tunnel simulations, and incorporate bedrock-anchored diaphragm piling along with seismic energy dissipators (tuned mass dampers or shear-core designs).

The maiden commercial plot auction is targeted for December 2026. The auction is primarily oriented toward Tier-1 corporate developers, foreign institutional funds (specifically Saudi and GCC consortiums), and joint ventures between overseas Pakistani syndicates and reputable local constructors. Bidders must demonstrate proven financial liquidity, balance sheet strength, and high-rise engineering credentials.

The 450-acre Safari Park is situated in the Malpur Forestry reserve adjacent to Murree Road and the Margalla foothills, in close proximity to the 1,000-acre Manhattan high-rise district. Designed as an open-range, cage-free wildlife sanctuary, it will feature African, Asian, and predator reserves navigated via electric safari shuttles and cable gondolas.

To eliminate bureaucratic red tape, municipal delays, and legal vulnerabilities, the government established a 5-member apex committee. Chaired by a Judge, with high-level representation from SIFC, NAB, FIA, and CDA, the committee ensures bulletproof land title transparency, screens bidder credentials, enforces the 3-year completion SLA, and guarantees full repatriation rights for international investor profits.

No. Small individual residential plots (such as 5, 7, 10 Marla or 1 Kanal) are strictly prohibited. The master plan exclusively accommodates mega plots of 1 Acre, 3 Acres, and 6 Acres dedicated to high-rise towers. Individual buyers will only be able to purchase completed off-plan apartments, sky penthouses, corporate offices, and commercial retail units once licensed developers commence tower sales.