IHC seeks replies over planned Islamabad cricket stadium

ISLAMABAD  –  The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued notices to the federal government and other authorities, seeking their replies to an intra-court appeal challenging a 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 Shahrukh Arjumand heard the appeal filed by Hameed Nawaz and Muhammad Khurram Javed against a single-bench judgment.

The court also sought replies from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Islamabad chief commissioner, the Ministry of Climate Change and the chairperson of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board. According to the appeal, the proposed project involves land in Sector D-12, Zone Three, including the area around Shah Allah Ditta village. The appellants argued that the project raised serious questions concerning environmental protection, wildlife conservation and the preservation of natural landscapes. They also called for relevant international legal obligations to be taken into account.

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The appeal referred to the notification of 82 wildlife sanctuaries across the country and stated that 954,246 hectares of land in 10 national parks had been placed under protection. Margalla National Park was among the protected areas cited by the appellants. They submitted that land in Sector D-12 had initially been allocated for a single stadium, but the scope of the proposed development had subsequently expanded into an Olympic Village featuring a football ground, a hockey stadium and other sports facilities. According to the appellants, the enlarged project would require substantially more land than originally envisaged. The appeal stated that approximately 175 acres had been earmarked for the development, arguing that proposed use of the land would adversely affect natural resources.

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It warned of potential damage to natural landscapes, biodiversity, the ecosystem and wildlife, and maintained that the construction would convert a green area into a developed, built-up zone. The appellants asked the court to set aside the single-bench judgment dated September 22, 2026, as well as the decision to allot land for the cricket stadium. They also sought the annulment of the electronic bidding process, procurement proceedings and other related arrangements, arguing that these should be declared unlawful.

The IHC’s notices seek responses from the respondents. The court’s issuance of notices does not, in itself, amount to a ruling on the legality of the project or the environmental objections raised in the appeal. Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has 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. In its written judgment, Justice Muhammad Asif clarified that the order would not affect an Interpol red notice issued against Mahmood, any extradition proceedings or action by the NAB.

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According to the judgment, the petitioner’s counsel told the court that Mahmood had been living in the United States since 2017 and held a US visa, an Employment Authorisation Document and a Texas driving licence.

His application for urgent passport renewal, submitted online, had been deferred because his name appeared on the ECL, the counsel submitted.

The court record showed that an Interpol red notice had been issued against Mahmood at the request of the police in connection with a case registered at Model Town Police Station in Lahore.

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In a report dated August 25, 2026, the Ministry of Interior stated that Mahmood’s name had been placed on the ECL on May 23, 2023, following a recommendation by NAB and a decision by the federal cabinet. The court’s direction concerning the ECL and passport renewal does not, according to the judgment, terminate or determine the separate proceedings relating to the Interpol red notice, extradition or any action by NAB.

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