NY Administration Terminates Roosevelt Hotel Lease Agreement with PIA

Baaghi TV/Arshad Mehmud: The New York City administration has terminated its $220 million lease agreement, discontinuing the use of the Roosevelt Hotel, owned by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), as a migrant shelter.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced plans to phase out the migrant processing center and shelter at the Pakistan-owned Roosevelt Hotel in the coming months.

In a video message posted on X on Monday, Adams said, “The Roosevelt Hotel, which has served as an arrival center and humanitarian emergency response hub for our asylum seekers for nearly two years, will close in the coming months.”

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Eric Adams’ announcement follows criticism from Trump’s close aide Vivek Ramaswamy, who, in December 2024, condemned the New York administration’s deal with Pakistan’s national flag career PIA.

Ramaswamy criticized the arrangement, stating, “The hotel receiving taxpayer funds to house undocumented immigrants is owned by the Pakistani government. This means New York taxpayers are effectively subsidizing a foreign government to provide shelter for undocumented immigrants within our own country.”

Vivek Ramaswamy, an Indian-origin biotech entrepreneur, briefly contributed to President Trump’s government restructuring initiatives before becoming a vocal commentator on policy issues.

The Roosevelt Hotel, owned by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), ceased operations in December 2020 due to the collapse of the tourism industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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In May 2023, PIA leased the hotel to NYC Health and Hospitals for $220 million, aiming to generate revenue. Since then, it has operated as a migrant arrival center, providing essential services.

The sale of this valuable property, approved by Pakistan’s government in 2023 through the Privatization Commission, aimed to alleviate the national airline’s financial crisis.

The Roosevelt Hotel, named after former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, first opened in 1924 and is located in Midtown Manhattan, adjacent to Grand Central Terminal.

PIA and Saudi Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud bought the hotel in 2000, and PIA then acquired Prince Faisal’s ownership stake.

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The unexpected termination of the agreement has raised serious concerns within Pakistan, especially with respect to the anticipated financial implications for PIA and its projected revenue. Because the national airline was facing financial distress, the $220 million lease was an important financial lifeline that helped keep the airline afloat.

Ahsan Qazi, a San Francisco-based socio-political expert while speaking to The Media Line, (an independent prestigious news agency based in New-York) said that “the lease termination says more about changing domestic politics than it does about US-Pakistan relations.
This move aligns with evolving migration policies and the broader political climate under President Donald Trump,” Qazi told The Media Line.

Azeem Khalid, a New York-based international relations expert, described the lease termination as a “major blow to Pakistan” and its national airline. “This setback further strains Pakistan’s weakening economy, already burdened by inflation and debt,” he told The Media Line.

“The US sees Pakistan as an important ally in terms of regional security and balancing China’s influence. The strategic partnership with Pakistan might push the US to look for other ways to collaborate with the country in light of the lease termination”, he explained.

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Professor Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed is the Chairman of the Department of Politics & International Relations (DPIR) at the University of Sargodha, Punjab.

He told The Media Line that “it’s unclear if the decision signals a broader US policy shift on Pakistan”.

Ahmed alleged that a strong Indian lobby influenced Mayor Adams, citing its role in shaping anti-Pakistan policies under Biden and Adams’ recent participation in India’s National Day parade as evidence of its continued influence”.

On the other side, leading Pakistani analyst and TV anchor Mubasher Lucman called for the iconic hotel to remain in Pakistani hands, despite the financial strain.

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“The Roosevelt Hotel is a symbol of Pakistan’s global presence and national pride, not merely a property asset,” Lucman told The Media Line. He said that selling the hotel would be “a significant blow to our collective identity and prestige.”

Pakistan ought to prioritize long-term national interests over short-term gains, he said.

“While economic factors are important, they should not come at the cost of losing such a valuable landmark,” Lucman argued. “Pakistan must explore all possible avenues to retain and revitalize the Roosevelt Hotel, ensuring it remains a testament to the nation’s legacy.”

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