Islamabad pushes for early start on new cricket stadium

Islamabad is set to get its first cricket stadium, with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) aiming for an early start on construction. The CDA held a consultative meeting to push the project forward, directing the consultant to verify the reasonableness of the contractor's construction rates.

The planned stadium, located near D-12 at the foothills of the Margallas in Zone III, is envisioned as a replica of Dubai International Stadium, boasting a capacity for 35,000 spectators. The estimated project cost stands at Rs11.9 billion, with a joint venture submitting the lowest bid of Rs8.9 billion for the structural work and an accompanying three-kilometer road network.

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The consultant was directed to check at the earliest if construction rates presented by the contractor were reasonable.

Discussions during the meeting covered the Bills of Quantities, scope of work, and project breakdowns. The CDA is eager to issue work orders once the rate reasonableness process is complete. The chosen site is outside the Margalla Hills National Park but falls within Zone III, where land use is restricted to recreation, conservation, and preservation projects, fitting the cricket stadium's purpose.

Plans for associated hotels and commercial areas are also progressing. A summary seeking federal cabinet permission for these additions was previously sent, and after receiving questions from the Prime Minister's Office, the CDA recently resubmitted the information. The stadium is part of a larger 175-acre Olympic Village site, with approximately 50 acres allocated for the stadium itself. A decision in November 2025 had also called for a hotel to be built for player accommodation.

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The cricket stadium project falls in the category of recreation.