Key Takeaways
- The Capital Development Authority (CDA) held a consultative meeting to expedite the construction of the first cricket stadium in Islamabad.
- A joint venture submitted the lowest bid for the project at Rs8.9 billion, with an estimated total cost of Rs11.9 billion.
- The stadium will be located near D-12 at the foothills of Margallas in Zone III and is expected to have a capacity of 35,000 spectators.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has taken steps towards the early construction of the first cricket stadium in Islamabad. At a recent consultative meeting, chaired by CDA member environment Abdullah Khurram Niazi, the consultant was directed to verify if the rates presented by the contractor are reasonable.
According to sources, the joint venture comprising Habib Construction Service and ZKB-EA has submitted the lowest bid of Rs8.9 billion for the structure work, including a three-kilometre road network. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs11.9 billion.
The stadium will be constructed near D-12 at the foothills of Margallas in Zone III and is expected to have a capacity of 35,000 spectators, replicating the design of Dubai International Stadium.
The area where the stadium is being built falls outside Maraglla Hills National Park but within Zone III. According to clause 4(3)(b) of the ICT Zoning Regulations 1992, no change in land use is permissible except for projects related to recreation, conservation, and preservation. The cricket stadium project fits into this category.
CDA officials have also mentioned that former chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa had sent a summary to the federal cabinet seeking permission for hotels and commercial areas attached to the project. However, the Prime Minister Office has referred back the summary with some questions, and CDA recently resubmitted it with required information.
The cricket stadium is part of the Olympic Village site of 175 acres, where several sports facilities are planned, including a hotel for player accommodation. Out of this area, almost 50 acres will be used for the stadium project.
In November 2025, the CDA board decided to construct a hotel in the area for players' accommodation. Subsequently, the then chairman moved a summary seeking permission from the federal cabinet for hotels and commercial strips at the proposed Olympic Village.
The CDA has also noted that private areas, including Shah Allah Ditta and other villages of Zone III, should be made part of the nearest Zone I, while the area of Bhara Kau should be included in Zone IV to regulate construction. However, this matter could not be taken up by the government.
