ISLAMABAD – The Institute of Architects Pakistan (IAP) and its Green Initiative have formally rejected the proposed construction of an international cricket stadium in Islamabad’s F-9 Park, calling it a threat to the city’s environment and public welfare.
In a letter to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the IAP stressed that while it fully supports the expansion of Pakistan’s sports infrastructure, F-9 Park is not the right location.
The letter described the park as “the ecological lungs of Islamabad”, noting its vital role in filtering the city’s air, preventing floods through natural drainage, regulating temperatures, supporting biodiversity, and providing free recreational space to thousands of residents.
The IAP argued that the park’s designation is for public use and ecological preservation, not for restricted-access, large-scale developments. They also cautioned that NESPAK, despite its engineering expertise, lacks the specialized urban ecological planning skills required for such a sensitive project.
The architects warned that the stadium could lead to the destruction of mature trees at a time when green conservation is a national priority. They also pointed out that F-9 lacks the public transit infrastructure needed for large sporting events, raising concerns about traffic congestion, pollution, and disruption to nearby communities.
Transforming a free public park into a ticketed venue, the letter argued, would deprive citizens of one of Islamabad’s few large, open green spaces. The IAP instead recommended building the stadium on the city’s outskirts, where purpose-built infrastructure could accommodate such a facility without harming protected areas.
The institute has offered to help identify alternative sites, design environmentally sensitive plans, and organize stakeholder consultations in line with Islamabad’s long-term urban and environmental goals.
