Islamabad Set to Finally Get Its Own Cricket Stadium as Location Finalised

After years of indecision and legal challenges, the long-awaited plan to build a cricket stadium in Pakistan’s capital appears to have gained new momentum. Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to immediately begin work on constructing the Islamabad Cricket Stadium. This marks what could be a turning point in a project that has faced over a decade of setbacks.

Chairing a meeting to review development projects in the capital, Mohsin Naqvi reportedly instructed the CDA to start construction on 25 acres of land near Sector D-12 and Shah Allah Ditta, in the foothills of the Margalla Hills. Officials briefed the minister that a 30,000-seat design proposal from Dubai had already been received and that the new venue could host both domestic and international matches once completed.

The minister’s directive comes after months of uncertainty surrounding the project. Earlier this year, CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa clarified that there was “currently no plan to construct a cricket stadium in Islamabad.”

Plans to build a world-class stadium in Islamabad have been under discussion for years but have repeatedly stalled due to site controversies, environmental concerns, and political instability. One of the earliest proposals, to construct the venue at Shakarparian, was halted in 2018 after the Supreme Court ruled against it. In August 2025, a new proposal to build the stadium inside F-9 Park sparked widespread public criticism over potential environmental damage. Following the backlash, the CDA issued a clarification, assuring citizens that the authority would only upgrade the existing F-9 cricket ground and would not undertake heavy concrete construction.

At the same time, the D-12 location was revisited as a possible alternative. While the CDA had kept the site as an option, it decided to seek expert consultation before finalizing any location for a major stadium.

The latest directive from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi signals a renewed government push to finally resolve the long-standing issue. Although the Pakistan Cricket Board is expected to execute the project, financing and detailed timelines have yet to be announced.

Officials say the chosen D-12 site, surrounded by the scenic Margalla foothills, could make the stadium one of the most visually striking venues in the region. Beyond cricket, the new facility is expected to enhance Islamabad’s sports infrastructure and serve as a multi-purpose complex for local and international events.

Despite the renewed momentum, experts caution that challenges remain. Concerns about traffic congestion, security management, and environmental sustainability continue to surround the project, especially given Islamabad’s delicate ecological balance and limited urban space.

Still, with the federal government now directly involved, optimism is returning that Islamabad, the only major Pakistani city without an international-standard cricket venue, may finally get a home ground worthy of its status as the nation’s capital.