ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) plans to file a review petition with the Supreme Court to seek permission to construct a cricket stadium in the Shakarparian area.
The project was previously scrapped in 2018 by the Supreme Court, which ruled that the area was part of the National Park.
The CDA also plans to set up a food place called Capital Street in the Art and Craft Village in the same area.
As per the details, the Shakarparian area was declared a Sports Centre in 1960 by Greek Firms Doxiadis Associates, who had prepared Islamabad’s master plan.
The area has since been home to several sports facilities such as the Sports Complex, Museum, Lok Virsa, Golf Course, and Islamabad Club.
However, in 1979, the federal government included the area in the National Park and Zone III area, and construction has been prohibited since then.
The CDA, in collaboration with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), attempted to construct an international stadium in the area, but the Supreme Court disallowed it.
Now, the CDA is seeking permission to construct the stadium in the same location by filing a review petition with the Supreme Court.
CDA Chairman Noorul Amin Mengal has stated that the area in question was originally reserved for sports activities in Islamabad’s master plan.
He added that the CDA would auction plots for restaurants and craftsmen shops in the Art and Craft Village per the rules and regulations.
To avoid future complications, CDA officials plan to submit a summary to the federal government seeking the withdrawal of the notification to the extent of the area in question before auctioning restaurant plots.
Despite this, a CDA member has clarified that the review petition is required only for the cricket stadium, as the Art and Craft Village falls under permissible rules and regulations.
