After years of delays and disputes, the long-awaited Islamabad Cricket Stadium project is finally moving forward. Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to begin construction immediately, signaling new momentum for a project stalled for over a decade.
During a meeting to review Islamabad’s development projects, Mohsin Naqvi instructed the CDA to start work on a 25-acre site near Sector D-12 and Shah Allah Ditta, located at the foot of the Margalla Hills. Officials informed him that a design proposal for a 30,000-seat stadium from Dubai had already been received. Once completed, the venue will host both domestic and international cricket matches.
The minister’s order follows months of confusion over the fate of the Islamabad Cricket Stadium. Earlier this year, CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa had stated that there were “no current plans” to build a new cricket stadium in the capital.
Plans for a world-class stadium in Islamabad have faced several obstacles, including site disputes, environmental issues, and political uncertainty. A proposal to build the venue at Shakarparian was scrapped in 2018 after a Supreme Court ruling. Another plan in 2025 to construct the stadium within F-9 Park drew strong public criticism due to environmental concerns. The CDA later clarified that it would only upgrade the existing cricket ground rather than build a new concrete structure.
The D-12 location was then reconsidered as a feasible option. Now, with the government’s renewed focus, construction could finally begin.
Officials say the new Islamabad Cricket Stadium, surrounded by the scenic Margalla Hills, will not only boost the city’s sports infrastructure but also serve as a multi-purpose venue for various events. However, experts have cautioned that environmental and traffic challenges must be addressed carefully to ensure long-term sustainability.
If successfully completed, the project will give Islamabad — Pakistan’s only major city without an international-standard cricket venue — a stadium worthy of its status as the nation’s capital.
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