ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government is reportedly considering rebidding for the sale of a state-owned building in Washington, despite having received the highest bid for the property.
The old chancery building on R Street in northwest Washington DC had its diplomatic status revoked by the US government and has been vacant since 2003.
In November 2020, the Pakistani cabinet approved a proposal to auction the building, with the highest bid of $6.8 million coming from Pakistani businessman Shahal Khan.
Shahal Khan had shared his intent to establish an institute in the building after completing renovations.
However, the government has not yet finalized the deal with Khan and is reportedly avoiding contact with him.
In November 2020, the information minister Mariyum Aurangzaib announced that the cabinet approved a proposal to auction one of the two state-owned buildings in Washington, DC that are owned by the Pakistan embassy.
She added that in 2010, the Prime Minister approved the renovations of the two buildings and about 60% of the work was completed on one building while no renovation was done on the other one.
As a result, it was deemed unfit for use and the cabinet decided to sell it transparently through an open bidding process.
The sale of the building has become important due to its vacant and dilapidated state, as well as the fact that it is subject to local building and taxation regulations.
Additionally, the highest bid for the property was $6.9 million, a significant increase from the previous highest bid of $4.5 million.
In December, the Foreign Office confirmed the approval of the sale and stated that the property would be sold through a thorough inter-ministerial process, following all necessary legal and codal formalities.
