Islamabad's long-awaited cricket stadium is inching closer to reality, with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) convening a consultative meeting on Monday to fast-track construction. The proposed venue, set to rise near D-12 at the foothills of the Margallas in Zone III, is designed as a replica of Dubai International Stadium with a seating capacity of 35,000. This move signals a renewed push to deliver the capital's first-ever cricket stadium, a project that has been in the planning stages for years. Main Developments During the meeting, chaired by CDA's environment member Abdullah Khurram Niazi, the consultant was directed to promptly assess whether the construction rates proposed by the contractor are reasonable. Attendees included the contractor, consultant, and relevant civic agency officials. The CDA has already opened financial bids, with a joint venture of Habib Construction Service and ZKB-EA submitting the lowest bid of Rs8.9 billion for structural work, including a three-kilometre road network. The project's PC-I estimates the total cost at Rs11.9 billion, with a covered area exceeding 600,000 square feet. Discussions covered Bills of Quantities (BOQ), scope of work, and other project breakdowns. The consultant's directive is to complete the rate reasonability process swiftly, enabling the CDA to issue work orders without further delay. Read also: KP Chief Minister Faces Resignation Calls Over Torkham Border Closure Background The stadium is part of a broader Olympic Village site spanning 175 acres in Zone III, where the CDA has planned multiple sports facilities, including hotels. Approximately 50 acres are earmarked for the stadium itself. In a November 21, 2025 board meeting, the CDA decided to include a hotel for player accommodation, prompting then-chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa to send a summary to the federal cabinet seeking permission for hotels and commercial areas. The Prime Minister's Office returned the summary with questions, and the CDA recently resent it with the required information. Zone III's regulatory status is governed by clause 4(3)(b) of the ICT Zoning Regulations 1992, which prohibits land use changes except for recreation, conservation, and preservation. Officials classify the cricket stadium as a recreational project, making it permissible. However, the hotel and commercial components remain pending federal government approval. Historically, Zone III has been a contentious area. In 2022, the CDA board proposed incorporating private areas like Shah Allah Ditta into Zone I and Bhara Kau into Zone IV to regulate construction, but the matter never reached the government. The original master plan designated these areas as green, so any CDA land acquisition would require maintaining greenery. An official source noted that unauthorised construction has flourished due to the lack of regulation or acquisition. Why It Matters The stadium's construction would fill a significant gap in Islamabad's sports infrastructure, providing a world-class venue for cricket fans in the capital. The project's approval process highlights the delicate balance between development and environmental conservation in Zone III, a region protected under zoning regulations. The outcome could set a precedent for future recreational projects in the area. Additionally, the CDA's plans for hotels and commercial spaces attached to the stadium could boost local tourism and economic activity, but they hinge on federal cabinet approval. The government's response will signal its commitment to the project and its stance on commercial development in protected zones. The unresolved issues in Zone III, including unacquired villages and unauthorised construction, underscore the need for a coherent policy. The CDA's actions, such as proposing a special economic zone near Park Road and auctioning four kanals near the sports complex for a motel/hotel project, have drawn scrutiny. CDA spokesperson Shahid Kiani defended these moves, stating that the special economic zone land was taken from NIH with federal approval, and several motels already exist in the locality, such as at Rawal Dam Chowk. What's Next The immediate next step is the consultant's rate verification, which will determine whether the CDA can issue work orders to the contractor. The federal cabinet's decision on the hotel and commercial components will be pivotal, as the CDA has resent the summary with additional information. The fate of these components rests with the federal government, which CDA officials describe as the competent forum. Meanwhile, the CDA continues to await government action on the broader Zone III issues, including the proposed zoning changes and the plight of residents in unacquired villages. Kiani noted that the CDA has raised these concerns with the federal government over the past four years. The coming months will reveal whether the cricket stadium project advances smoothly or faces further bureaucratic hurdles.