Capital Development Authority moves for early start of work on cricket stadium

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Monday held a consultative meeting for the early start of work on the first ever cricket stadium in the capital. </p> <p>In this regard, the consultant was directed to check at the earliest if construction rates presented by the contractor were reasonable. </p> <p>As per CDA’s plan, the stadium is going to be constructed near D-12 at the foothills of Margallas in Zone III. </p> <p>According to the CDA, it will be a replica of Dubai International Stadium with the capacity of 35000 spectators. </p> <blockquote> <p>Consultant directed to check if rates presented by contractor are reasonable</p> </blockquote> <p>Sources said the CDA’ member environment Abdullah Khurram Niazi chaired a meeting which was attended by the consultant and contractor and relevant officials of the civic agency.</p> <p>The CDA has already opened financial bids and a Joint Venture of 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. According to PC-I, the estimated cost of the project is Rs11.9 billion. Under the contract, the total covered area is over 600,000 square feet.</p> <p>Sources said during the meeting, Bills of Quantities (BOQ), scope of the work and other breakdown of the project were discussed and the consultant was directed to complete the process of reasonability of rates so that CDA could issue work orders.</p> <p>The area where the stadium is going to be constructed is outside of Maraglla Hills National Park, but falls in Zone III, where according to clause 4(3)(b) of the ICT Zoning Regulations 1992, no change in land use is permissible except projects related to recreation, conservation and preservation. Officials said the cricket stadium project falls in the category of recreation.</p> <p>Asked about the construction of hotels and commercial areas attached to the project, the CDA officials said former chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa had sent a summary to the federal cabinet seeking permission for hotels and commercial areas. </p> <p>They said the Prime Minister Office had referred back the summary with some questions and CDA recently resent the same with required information.</p> <p><strong>Zone III’s status</strong> </p> <p>Officials said the cricket stadium was part of the Olympic Village site of 175 acres, where the CDA had planned several sports facilities including hotels. Out of it, almost 50 acres will be used for the stadium project. The CDA board in its meeting held on November 21, 2025 had decided that a hotel should also be constructed in the area for accommodation of players. </p> <p>Subsequently, the then chairman CDA moved a summary seeking permission of the federal cabinet for a hotel and a commercial strip at the proposed Olympic Village.</p> <p>In the year 2022, the CDA board had decided that private areas, including Shah Allah Ditta and other villages of Zone III, should be made part of the nearest Zone I and the area of Bhara Kau should be made part of Zone IV for regulating construction. But the matter could not be taken up by the government.</p> <p>As per the original master plan, these areas were shown as green. Therefore, if the CDA acquires land in these areas, it will have to leave it for greenery purpose. </p> <p>“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,” said an official source.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the government is showing no interest in resolving the issue of the public in the said unacquired villages of Zone III. However, both the CDA and the government have been showing their intent for construction in Zone III.</p> <p>Sources said that a few years ago the CDA itself had earmarked land in Zone III for the construction of a special economic zone near Park Road. Last month, the CDA board decided to auction four kanals near the sports complex for motel/hotel project subject to approval of the federal government. </p> <p>The four kanals is surrendered by Islamabad Club and in a surprising move the CDA wants to auction it for a hotel project, said the sources.</p> <p>When contacted, CDA spokesperson Shahid Kiani said Zone III and Margalla Hills National Park were different entities.</p> <p>“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. </p> <p>About a new hotel site in Zone III near sports complex, he said: “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.</p> <p>When asked about public suffering, he said: “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.</p> <p><em>Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2026</em></p> This development from dawn.com highlights ongoing changes in the sector.