Islamabad architects oppose cricket stadium in F-9 Park, call for eco-friendly alternative sites

ISLAMABAD – A coalition of architects has raised strong objections to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s plan to build an international cricket stadium inside Islamabad’s F-9 Park, warning it would cause lasting damage to the city’s environment and deprive residents of vital open space.

The Institute of Architects Pakistan (IAP) and the IAP Green Initiative, in a formal letter to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, emphasized that while they welcome new sports facilities, F-9 Park’s ecological value is irreplaceable.

They described the park as Islamabad’s green lungs, naturally cleaning the air, managing rainwater drainage, regulating temperatures, and serving as a habitat for biodiversity. It is also one of the few places offering free, unrestricted access to recreational space for the public.

The IAP also criticized the appointment of NESPAK as project planners, noting that although the firm is highly respected in engineering, it lacks the urban ecological planning expertise necessary for such a project.

According to the architects, the park’s transformation into a ticketed sports venue would uproot mature trees and disrupt nearby communities. They further noted that the F-9 location lacks adequate public transport and infrastructure to handle large-scale sporting events, leading to inevitable traffic and pollution problems.

Instead, they propose building the stadium on undeveloped land outside the city, where infrastructure could be purpose-built. The IAP has offered professional assistance to identify suitable locations, design sustainable solutions, and ensure the project aligns with Islamabad’s long-term environmental priorities.