ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has stepped up preparations for Islamabad’s first cricket stadium, aiming to begin construction soon. The proposed stadium will stand near D-12 at the foothills of the Margalla Hills in Zone III. According to the CDA, the venue will mirror the design of Dubai International Stadium.
The planned facility will accommodate around 35,000 spectators. It will also include a three-kilometre road network to improve access to the venue.
CDA Reviews Costs Before Issuing Work Order
The CDA recently held a consultative meeting to discuss the project’s construction plans. Member Environment Abdullah Khurram Niazi chaired the meeting.
The consultant, contractor, and relevant CDA officials attended the session. They reviewed the project’s Bills of Quantities, work scope, and other technical details.
The CDA has already opened the project’s financial bids. A joint venture between Habib Construction Service and ZKB-EA submitted the lowest bid.
The bid stands at Rs8.9 billion for the structure and associated three-kilometre road network. Meanwhile, the project’s estimated cost under the PC-I stands at Rs11.9 billion.
The total covered area under the contract exceeds 600,000 square feet.
However, the CDA has not yet issued the final work order. Officials have instructed the consultant to assess whether the contractor’s proposed rates remain reasonable.
Once the review concludes, the authority can proceed with the next stage of construction.
Stadium Project Faces Zone III Questions
The proposed stadium site falls outside the Margalla Hills National Park. However, it remains within Zone III of Islamabad.
Under Clause 4(3)(b) of the ICT Zoning Regulations 1992, authorities cannot change land use in the zone. The regulations allow exceptions for recreation, conservation, and preservation projects.
CDA officials consider the cricket stadium a recreational project. Therefore, they say its construction remains permissible under the existing zoning framework.
However, questions remain about proposed hotels and commercial facilities linked to the stadium.
Former CDA chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa had sent a summary to the federal cabinet seeking approval for those facilities. The Prime Minister’s Office returned the summary with questions.
The CDA has now resubmitted the summary after providing the requested information.
Olympic Village Plan Includes Stadium
The stadium forms part of a larger 175-acre Olympic Village site. The CDA originally planned several sports facilities across the area.
Around 50 acres will go toward the cricket stadium. The CDA board also decided in November 2025 to build a hotel for players in the area.
The authority later sought federal approval for a hotel and commercial strip near the proposed Olympic Village.
Meanwhile, Zone III continues to face wider planning and development concerns.
In 2022, the CDA board proposed shifting private areas, including Shah Allah Ditta and nearby villages, toward Zone I. It also proposed moving Bhara Kahu into Zone IV for construction regulation.
However, the government did not take up the proposal.
The original master plan classified these areas as green zones. Therefore, any land acquired by the CDA would need to retain its greenery.
An official source said, “Neither the CDA is acquiring this area nor regulating construction, as a result of which unauthorised construction has been taking place. The issue of this zone should be decided for good.”
CDA Clarifies Position on Zone III Development
The CDA maintains that Zone III and the Margalla Hills National Park have separate legal and administrative status.
CDA spokesperson Shahid Kiani said the stadium qualifies as a permitted recreational project in Zone III. He added that the CDA board has approved the stadium project.
“As far as cricket stadium project is concerned, being recreational project, it is permissible use in Zone III and approved by CDA board. While, for hotel and commercial components of stadium project, we have not proceeded yet on these two components. Fate of these two components will be decided by federal government, which is a competent forum,” he said.
Kiani also confirmed that another hotel site near the sports complex remains under consideration.
“Yes, this proposal is under consideration, but no final decision is made yet. There is no issue of construction of motel in said area with approval of federal government as several motels are already existed in said locality, particularly at Rawal Dam Chowk,” he said.
He further said the CDA had repeatedly raised Zone III residents’ concerns with the federal government.
Regarding a proposed special economic zone, Kiani said the government had approved land taken from the National Institutes of Health.
“During the last four years, the issue of public of Zone III was taken up by CDA with federal government. As far as special economic zone in Zone III is concerned, the land for economic zone was taken from NIH and federal government okayed this site, therefore, there is no illegality involved,” he said.
The proposed cricket stadium could become a major sporting venue for the capital if construction begins as planned. However, the CDA must first complete the cost review and address outstanding approvals for related commercial facilities.
With the lowest construction bid already submitted, attention now remains on the consultant’s assessment and the authority’s decision to issue the work order.
