The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has struck a preliminary agreement with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to build a cricket stadium in Islamabad, which is a major development.
Reports indicate that Shakil Shaikh, a member of the PCB management committee, met with CDA chairman Noorul Amin Mengal during a recent visit to the CDA’s headquarters. The parties have reached a preliminary agreement to construct the cricket stadium at D-12 in the Margallas foothills.
The CDA director shared the news that 25 acres of land had been set aside for the stadium’s construction with the PCB official during the meeting.
A memorandum of agreement (MoU) was also agreed upon and will be drafted and signed by both sides in the near future.
The CDA has confirmed that the PCB will be in charge of construction while the CDA will be responsible for providing the land for the stadium.
CDA and PCB will split the profits
The parties have agreed to split the proceeds from the stadium equally. Although the specifics will be laid out in the MoU, the CDA is thinking about splitting the profits with the PCB at a rate of 30% to 70%.
There would be a follow-up meeting to finalise the specifics and sign the MoU, as revealed by Chairman CDA, who said that the initial meeting with the PCB official was exploratory.
When queried about the site, the CDA chairman said that the allotted land is free of encumbrances and located in a prime spot at the base of the Margallas Mountains. He stressed that once the stadium is built, it will contribute to Islamabad’s aesthetic appeal.
The CDA chairman addressed concerns about the land’s zoning, stating that even though it is located in Zone III, the construction of sports facilities is not prohibited.
Specifically, he referred to the ICT Zoning Regulations 1992, which allow for the construction of recreational facilities such as sports stadiums within the zone. It’s worth noting that the Supreme Court cancelled a stadium project begun by the CDA and PCB at Shakarparian.
Islamabad’s master plan, drawn out by a Greek company in 1960, set aside 2,250 acres in Shakarparian for a sports complex. However, the government banned development in 1979 when it designated the region a national park and Zone III.
Nonetheless, unchecked building has continued despite the 1979 notification not having been updated.
To read our article about “Sports Complex PSB has not opened since Covid-19 lockdown” click here.
