The proposed Islamabad cricket stadium has moved a significant step closer to construction after the Capital Development Authority (CDA) advanced the procurement process for the long-planned venue, with financial bids expected to be opened in the coming days, according to a report by Dawn.
The project, valued at PKR 11.4 billion (approx. US$41 million), represents one of Pakistan’s most significant planned investments in cricket infrastructure. Once completed, the stadium is expected to provide the capital with an international-standard venue while expanding the country’s capacity to host major cricket events beyond Rawalpindi.
Technical review enters final stage
The CDA has received revised designs and supplementary financial bids from the two shortlisted joint ventures competing for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract. Those submissions are currently undergoing technical evaluation before being uploaded to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority’s E-PAD portal, paving the way for the opening of financial bids.
An official told Dawn: “Some days ago, we received revised designs along with supplementary bids. Currently, the technical team is reviewing the designs. Hopefully, in the next few days, the review process will be completed, and then CDA will upload the supplementary bids and review report on PPRA’s E-PAD.”
Habib Construction and ZKB-EA are competing against Lemar Builders and BK Consultants Pvt Ltd for the contract.
Stadium planned as flagship cricket venue
The proposed stadium will be built near Sector D-12 at the bottom of the Margalla Hills, offering an open view of the surrounding landscape. Plans call for a seating capacity of around 32,000 spectators, while parking facilities for approximately 10,000 vehicles will be located about one kilometre from the venue for the general public.
The CDA and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) intend to develop the stadium on the model of the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The venue is planned across approximately 50 acres within the proposed 175-acre Olympic Village.
Currently, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium remains the only venue in the Islamabad-Rawalpindi region capable of hosting international cricket, making the proposed development a strategically important addition to Pakistan’s cricket infrastructure.
Regulatory approvals and project background
While the selected site falls within Zone III, where sports and recreational activities are permitted, the CDA will still require federal government approval for associated developments, including commercial facilities and a hotel planned as part of the wider project.
The latest proposal also follows an earlier attempt to establish a cricket stadium in Islamabad. A previous project at Shakarparian, initiated after the PCB received land from the CDA, was ultimately abandoned following directions from the Supreme Court.
Commitment to fast-track delivery
Officials indicated that both the CDA and PCB are seeking to move the project forward at pace as the procurement process progresses towards its next stage.
An official told Dawn: “This time, both CDA and PCB are very serious about the cricket stadium project, and hopefully it will be started soon. The project is close to the heart of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who is in charge of both CDA and PCB. Therefore, it is expected that the project will be completed on a fast-track basis.”
The project will move to the financial bid stage once the technical review is completed and the supplementary submissions are uploaded to the PPRA’s E-PAD portal, marking the next confirmed milestone before the contract can be awarded.
