Text by: Mr. Sheraz Gulzar, Manager IAP-RIC
Photography Courtesy: RDA
Rawalpindi – On April 29, 2025, a formal review meeting was held at the office of the Director General, Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) to evaluate the winning proposals of the Echoes of Rawalpindi – Monument Design Competition for Joint Check Post (JCP) Sites 4 and 6.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Kinza Murtaza, Director General RDA, and attended by key officials, including Ar. Rida Sultan, Assistant Director Architecture, RDA, and Mr. Ishfaq Anwer Sulehri, Deputy Project Director, PMU RRR, reflecting strong interdepartmental collaboration within the Authority.
DG RDA Ms. Kinza Murtaza acknowledged the quality of all design proposals and expressed her intent to further discuss them with other key stakeholders, including the Corps Commander, to ensure alignment with broader urban development goals. She appreciated the vision reflected in the competition entries and emphasized that the final selected design would be taken forward in consultation with all relevant authorities.
Ar. Rana Atif Rehman, Convener of the competition, briefed the DG on the potential for future execution of the selected designs. In response, Ms. Kinza Murtaza assured that once a design is finalized, the RDA would be open to involving the respective participants during the construction process and preparation of detailed drawings, in accordance with PCATP regulations. This step would help ensure a transparent and professionally guided consultation process.
Representing the Institute of Architects Pakistan – Rawalpindi Islamabad Chapter (IAP-RIC) were Ar. Ukkasha N. Ehsan, Competition Coordinator; Ar. Rana Atif Rehman, Competition Convener; and Mr. Muhammad Sheraz, Manager, IAP-RIC. The meeting reaffirmed the ongoing collaboration between RDA and IAP-RIC, reinforcing their shared commitment to enhancing Rawalpindi’s urban identity through thoughtful and innovative architectural interventions.
The winning entries, selected from a diverse pool of submissions from Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi, were earlier reviewed by a distinguished national jury composed of leading architects. The entire process reflected transparency, inclusivity, and high professional standards.
As a next step, DG RDA Ms. Kinza Murtaza assigned Ar. Rida Sultan the task of finalizing the budget and venue for the upcoming Award Ceremony, tentatively scheduled for mid-May, 2025.
