Cricket stadium plan faces legal challenge

IHC issues notices to PCB, CDA; petitioners raise concerns over wildlife and green zones

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued notices to the federal government, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and other relevant authorities, seeking their responses to an intra-court appeal challenging the dismissal of a petition against plans to construct an international cricket stadium and establish a sports arena in the federal capital.

A division bench comprising Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas and Justice Shah Rukh Arjumand heard the appeal filed by Hamid Nawaz and Muhammad Khurram Javed. The respondents named in the proceedings include the federal government, the PCB, the CDA, the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, the Ministry of Climate Change and the Chairperson of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board.

In their appeal, the petitioners argued that the proposed project would involve land in Zone III of Islamabad, including Sector D-12 and the village of Shah Allah Ditta.

They maintained that the project required careful scrutiny of its potential environmental impact, particularly its implications for wildlife, natural landscapes and ecological preservation. They also argued that relevant international legal obligations, including the United Nations Charter, should be taken into consideration.

According to the petitioners, land had initially been allocated in Sector D-12 for the construction of a stadium. The project was subsequently expanded into a proposed Olympic Village incorporating a football ground, a hockey stadium and other sporting facilities.

They contended that the expanded development would require substantially more land than had originally been allocated and could adversely affect natural landscapes, biodiversity, ecosystems and wildlife.

The petitioners further argued that the construction would transform green areas into built-up zones, potentially causing significant environmental damage.

They asked the court to set aside the single bench's order upholding the decision to allocate land for the cricket stadium. They also sought to have the electronic bidding process, procurement procedures and all related arrangements declared unlawful and quashed.

The appeal challenges an earlier decision by a single-member bench of the Islamabad High Court, which dismissed the two petitioners' plea against the proposed construction of a stadium and sports arena in the capital.

The court has sought responses from the respondents. Further proceedings will determine the issues raised in the appeal.