The Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad has cancelled the five-year-old women’s market, reportedly built at a cost of nearly Rs70 million, to facilitate construction of Eleventh Avenue and address a long-standing planning obstacle.
The Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) has removed the temporary G-10 Women’s Bazaar, established on a green belt along the proposed route of the Eleventh Avenue project, to clear the way for a major road infrastructure development scheme in the federal capital.
The MCI issued an official notification on Wednesday, November 5, 2026, cancelling the market, which had remained largely non-functional since its establishment despite an investment of approximately Rs70 million to Rs70.8 million.
The removal is intended to facilitate construction activities on Eleventh Avenue, ensure compliance with Islamabad’s master plan and improve traffic movement in the city.
The decision also brings an end to a project originally designed to provide dedicated commercial opportunities for women entrepreneurs but which reportedly failed to become a fully operational marketplace.
G-10 Women’s Bazaar Removed for Eleventh Avenue Construction
The G-10 Women’s Bazaar was established on a green belt situated along the proposed right-of-way of Eleventh Avenue, a planned road infrastructure project in Islamabad.
Its location subsequently emerged as a planning obstacle because the market occupied land designated for the road development scheme.
The MCI’s decision to cancel and remove the temporary marketplace is aimed at clearing the affected area so that construction of Eleventh Avenue can proceed without the existing obstruction.
The development is also linked to broader efforts to implement Islamabad’s master plan and improve the city’s road network.
Rs70 Million Women’s Market Failed to Become Operational
The G-10 Women’s Bazaar was announced in September 2021 during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s tenure by then interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.
The Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad completed its construction in February 2022 through its Sports Directorate, at an estimated cost ranging between Rs70 million and Rs70.8 million.
The project was conceived as an initiative to economically empower women by providing dedicated commercial spaces where female entrepreneurs could establish businesses, display their products and generate income.
However, the marketplace reportedly remained largely abandoned after its construction.
Despite the substantial public investment, it operated for only one day and failed to attract sustained participation from women vendors and customers.
The project therefore did not achieve its original objective of developing a functional commercial centre for women entrepreneurs.
Planning Conflict Emerges Over Eleventh Avenue Route
A major issue surrounding the marketplace was its location directly over the proposed right-of-way of Eleventh Avenue.
The road project forms part of Islamabad’s planned infrastructure development, making the availability of the designated construction corridor essential for its implementation.
The construction of the women’s market on the proposed route created a conflict between the temporary commercial facility and the city’s long-term infrastructure planning requirements.
Its subsequent removal is expected to help clear the affected section and facilitate the road development project.
The decision also highlights the importance of coordinating public-sector development initiatives with approved master plans to avoid overlapping land use and unnecessary expenditure.
What the Removal Means for Islamabad Residents
The removal of the G-10 Women’s Bazaar is expected to address a physical obstruction affecting the proposed Eleventh Avenue alignment.
Once the affected area is cleared, the road project can move forward in accordance with the relevant construction and planning requirements.
Eleventh Avenue is expected to contribute to Islamabad’s road infrastructure and improve connectivity and traffic movement in the federal capital.
However, the actual impact on traffic conditions will depend on the project’s construction progress, completion timeline and integration with the city’s existing road network.
The cancellation also raises questions about the planning and implementation of the original women’s market, particularly its location, operational performance and utilisation of public funds.
A Failed Commercial Initiative Gives Way to Road Development
The removal of the G-10 Women’s Bazaar marks the end of a public-sector initiative that was originally introduced to promote women’s economic participation but reportedly remained largely unused.
Although the project involved an estimated investment of more than Rs70 million, it failed to develop into a sustainable commercial marketplace.
The MCI’s latest decision prioritises the clearance of the designated land for Eleventh Avenue, reflecting the need to align development projects with Islamabad’s approved urban planning framework.
The development also underscores the importance of proper feasibility assessments, site selection and coordination before public funds are committed to infrastructure and commercial projects.
