Setting up of cricket stadium and sports arena: IHC seeks replies from govt, CDA to intra-court appeal
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued notices to the federal government, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and others, seeking their replies to an intra-court appeal challenging the decision to establish an international cricket stadium and sports arena in the federal capital.
A division bench comprising Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas and Justice ShahrukhArjumand heard the appeal filed by Hameed Nawaz and Muhammad KhurramJaved against a single-bench verdict.
The bench also sought replies from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Chief Commissioner Islamabad, the Ministry of Climate Change, and the Chairperson of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board.
According to the appeal, the project will utilise land in Sector D-12, Zone Three of Islamabad, including the village of Shah Allah Ditta. The appellants argued that the case also requires examination of issues relating to the protection of the environment, wildlife, and natural landscapes, and that international laws—particularly the United Nations global charter—must also be taken into consideration.
The appeal noted that the government has notified 82 wildlife sanctuaries across the country for the protection of wildlife, while 954,246 hectares of land in 10 national parks nationwide has been provided protection. Margalla National Park is among these protected areas, the appeal stated.
The appellants submitted that initially, land in Sector D-12 was allotted for the construction of a single stadium. Later, however, the project was expanded into an Olympic Village, incorporating a football ground, hockey stadium, and other related sports facilities. The expanded project requires far more land than what was originally allocated.
The appeal stated that approximately 175 acres of land is planned to be used for the project, which is harmful to natural resources. It warned that the project would affect natural landscapes, biodiversity, the ecosystem, and wildlife, and that a green area is being converted into a brown area through the construction project.
The appellants prayed that the single-bench judgment of September 22, 2026, be set aside, along with the decision to allot land for the cricket stadium. They further requested that the electronic bidding (e-bidding) process for the land, the procurement process, and all related arrangements be declared illegal and set aside.
Separately, an IHC single bench comprising Justice Muhammad Asif ordered the removal of overseas Pakistani citizen Hashim Mahmood’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL) and directed the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports to process his passport renewal application in accordance with the law.
Justice Muhammad Asif issued the written judgment, clarifying that the decision would not affect the Interpol red notice, extradition proceedings or any action by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
According to the judgment, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that Mahmood had been residing in the United States since 2017 and held a US visa, an Employment Authorisation Document and a Texas driving licence. His online application for urgent passport renewal had been deferred because his name appeared on the ECL.
The court record showed that an Interpol red notice had been issued against him at the police’s request in connection with a case registered at Model Town Police Station in Lahore.
In a report dated August 25, 2026, the Ministry of Interior stated that his name had been placed on the ECL on May 23, 2023, following a NAB recommendation and a federal cabinet decision.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026