Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday formed a high-level committee to review the One Constitution Avenue case, directing authorities to halt any action until a final decision is made.

According to an official statement, the committee will be headed by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. Its members include Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the Cabinet Secretary and the Commerce Secretary.

The committee has been tasked with submitting a comprehensive report within one week. It will hear all stakeholders and affected parties without discrimination.

Authorities have been directed that no action will be taken by the Islamabad administration or the Capital Development Authority (CDA) until the prime minister issues a final ruling.

Talal Chaudhry said the government remains committed to removing encroachments and enforcing the law equally. He stated that violations were committed in the One Constitution Avenue project and that no one would receive preferential treatment.

He said the site was leased in 2005 for construction of a hotel, but the agreement was violated. Instead, around 250 residential apartments and commercial units were developed.

He added that the companies involved are also facing allegations of fraud and misleading institutions.

Officials said the CDA had made it clear that the land could only be used for a hotel. The lease was cancelled in 2016 due to violations, a decision later upheld by the Islamabad High Court.

The case has a long legal history, including proceedings in the Public Accounts Committee, NAB and FIA investigations, and hearings under former chief justice Saqib Nisar.

The Islamabad High Court recently upheld the cancellation of the lease, dismissing petitions filed by the private company. The verdict was reserved earlier this year and announced on April 30.

Following the decision, CDA officials, accompanied by police, moved to take control of the building and had issued a deadline for evacuation.

The project, located on Constitution Avenue, spans over 13.5 acres and includes residential apartments, commercial areas and a luxury hotel component. However, authorities maintain that only a hotel was permitted under the original lease.

Officials said the company failed to meet financial obligations set by the court, including payments worth billions of rupees, leading to renewed cancellation of the lease in 2023.

The government has now stepped in to review the matter before taking further action.