Stadium finally approved: PCB, city administration sign MoU
The federal capital could be home to the newest international-level cricket stadium in the country after 35 acres were allocated for the purpose in Shakarparian. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed between the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday for a state-of-the-art sport facility.
Problems over where land would be allocated had held up work on the stadium for the last four years. According to Monday’s agreement, 30 per cent of the revenue from the stadium will go to the CDA, while the PCB will keep the rest.
A senior PCB official said that a similar MoU was also signed back in 2008 and the PCB had deposited Rs5 million with the CDA as down payment, but the land was never handed over. The official said that after the land was formally handed over to the board, it would take one year for construction of the stadium.
Prime Minister’s Task Force on Islamabad Chairman Faisal Sakhi Butt, PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf and CDA Chairman Engineer Farkhand Iqbal were present during the signing ceremony and subsequent press conference.
Speaking on the occasion, Butt said it is a hallmark for the federal capital and another milestone for the government in its efforts to develop sport infrastructure in the country. He said that the cricket stadium and academy would be a beautiful addition in the sports zone being developed in Islamabad.
He said that government has also allotted land for a golf facility near the stadium as a part of its initiative to promote sports activities in the region, which comprise the capital and adjoining areas including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Kashmir.
PCB chief Ashraf said that there is a lot of talent in the region which needs to be groomed by developing sports infrastructure of international standards. He said that the cricket academy would serve as a regional hub for grooming young talent from northern Pakistan.
Addressing a press conference following the singing of the MoU, Ashraf said the stadium would have seating capacity of around 50,000 people, while confirming that “the stadium will be constructed and run by the PCB, with 30 of its revenue going to CDA as land cost and 70 per cent as the PCB’s share”.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 8th, 2012.
COMMENTS (26)
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Thanks PCB. The stadium can be used by PTI for their future jalsas when it is too hot for revolution! Torus can hang out in shade and participate in the revolution with comfort.
hope EIA is done before senselessly destrying the eco-system!!!!
Arifa Kareem National stadium :)
Two cricket stadiums within 10kms distance? Are you serious?
@THE:
Why not ask telecommunication companies to remove all towers from Islamabad? I think we should also ask UBL and other tower owners in Islamabad to bulldoze the buildings. All kind of vehicles should be banned in Islamabad except bicycles.
The biggest reason of building a cricket stadium in Islamabad is SECURITY. In other cities like KARACHI , LAHORE the situation of law and order is not that much appreciable due to over population in the major cities of Pakistan. An other reason here is to promote healthy activities. Also all the grounds in Pakistan needs alot more improvements in infrastructure. Building a well designed cricket stadium in ISB will be a huge initiative by PCB CM Zaka.
Also don`t you forget that PCB H.Q is in Lahore just due to QAZAFI Stadium. So we always have to have our national team camps their in no-fedral area. This new stadium will be the new H.Q of P.C.B and also home ground for NATIONAL ACADEMY.
All of you talking about the JINAH CRICKET STADIUM Rawalpindi just go and look at the infrastructure of the ground. It no way near to a 3 Class stadium of non playing test teams , and also with very minimum capacity.
Yes Foresting will be a huge matter here. Anyways the location there is really good from view prospective but i will not recommend any authority to cut trees to build a cricket stadium.
The money could have been better utilised to produce a few more Shaheens, Ghauris, Babars etc!.
The residents of Islamabad should petition against the building of this staduim which would be good for nothing! The only thing this stadium would do is destroy the enviornment of the area, cut trees and disturb the peace!
There are no "World class stadiums" in Pakistan.
Even the National Stadium and Gaddafi Stadium are pathetic.
Rest of the stadiums in Pakistan aren't really stadiums.
Even Universities in America have much better stadiums than Pakistan.
Daring step to invest in a stadium for matches in Islamabad, closer to the tribal belt.
We should petition against it .. maybe they should make the stadium in Zone IV or VI
Yes, that is exactly what this country needs ...35 acres of deforestation for a cricket stadium where no international team will come to play anyway. They have the pindi stadium improve that and move on. We have bigger problems to tackle in this country,
I just hope its not named after one of our former corrupt Prime Ministers.
@Syed Owais: I think u have never watch a cricket match in Pakistan, other than international teams coming to Pakistan, people here only like to watch ODIs and T20 , even before the attack on Sri lankan team attendance for test matches was about 10% only, CDA could have done something better by constructing a Hockey Stadium or Tennis courts etc. I challenge u u will only find this stadium filled 1-2 days a year maximum.
I am really disappointed to know that land has been allocated for cricket stadium at Shakar Parian. For all those who live in Islamabad know that Shakarparian is one of the few places left with peace,clam and greenery. It will affect the environment of the area and surroundings. Cricket stadium can be built anywhere in Islamabad without cutting tree and disturbing the environment.
The bribe rate in Govt projects is upfront 25% of the project cost. Any one willing to negate or contribute this fact. The nation is ethically dead
Hope it has added features for security!
I would've supported the idea, but we have a world class stadium in Rawalpindi , maybe we should build one in Murree or some place .. 2ndly, these guys will find a nice place CHOP trees and then build bigger roads and god knows what. 50 thousand people coming for a match means they will require transportation .. does anyone think through the ideas?
This is a positive step, infrastructure is for people to use, current PCB management is taking right steps. Stadiums are not easy to build, it requires a lot of collaboration of different departments. I am not too concern with International team not coming NOW to Pakistan, Inshallah things will change, and when they decide to come, then we will have a brand new venue to showcase :)
All those you put negative comments, time will shut you up.
Good job, but please don't name it after some corrupt politician this time.
Great step by PCB - sadly people have stopped appreciating good thing happening in PAkistan! IT's encouraging and more ground should be built around the country - even if int'l teams dont come. Promote Sports, Promote healthy activities!!!
Waste of money, no need of it, already have a international stadium in Pindi. No one is willing to play in Pakistan and they are spending huge money on it which could be spend on some other good work.
hopefully the bribes and kickbacks were set at reasonable rates
By the way who's going to come their and paly.no team wants to visit pak .waste of money and it'll be used for political jalsas
An international stadium for whom? Bangladesh?