Islamabad Cricket Stadium Project Moves Closer To Construction
Islamabad’s long-awaited plan for its first major cricket stadium has moved into a decisive stage after two construction joint ventures qualified to submit financial bids for the project. The development was reported from the federal capital on Monday, bringing the proposed venue closer to construction near D-12 at the foothills of the Margalla range.
According to the report, the Capital Development Authority received tenders from major construction groups and has now cleared the technical bids of two competing joint ventures. Habib Construction with ZKB-EA and the consortium of Lemar Builders, Kingcrete and BK Consultants are now in the race for the construction contract.
The stadium is being planned by the CDA in collaboration with the Pakistan Cricket Board on nearly 50 acres inside a proposed Olympic Village spread over about 175 acres. The project is estimated at Rs11.4 billion and is expected to be executed under the Engineering Procurement and Construction model, where the competing firms have also submitted design proposals.
Officials familiar with the process said the next stage will involve a detailed review of the submitted designs by a CDA expert committee, with input likely to be sought from the PCB. Once the design is finalised, the two qualified joint ventures will be asked to submit financial bids, and the contract is expected to go to the lowest eligible bidder.
The competition is being closely watched because both groups reportedly have experience in cricket stadium construction and renovation. One of the contenders has been linked to work on Peshawar Cricket Stadium, while the other has experience related to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, making the bidding process potentially competitive.
The CDA has also received bids from two consulting groups for supervision of the project, including a Pakistani-Asian-Turkish joint venture and Nespak. However, officials said the authority is considering hiring a government-owned consultant instead, and a final decision on supervision arrangements is expected after further internal review.
The project has not been free of regulatory and environmental questions. The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board earlier asked the CDA to share the stadium’s layout plan and clarify whether the selected site overlaps with, touches or falls near the notified limits of the Margalla Hills National Park or its protected buffer zone.
That concern is important because the proposed location falls in Zone III, where sports and recreational activity may be allowed, but associated commercial work such as hotels and other facilities would require federal approval. The CDA had already moved a summary to the interior ministry for permission related to such allied development.
For Pakistan’s cricket infrastructure, the Islamabad stadium would be a major addition, especially as the federal capital has long lacked a purpose-built international cricket venue. If completed, the project could support domestic cricket, international fixtures, sports tourism and commercial activity linked to major events.
The immediate next step is the financial bidding stage, followed by contract award and consultant finalisation. The project’s progress will depend on timely approvals, environmental compliance and coordination between the CDA, PCB and federal authorities before construction can formally begin.