Architects rally against cricket stadium in F-9 Park.
The Institute of Architects Pakistan (IAP) and the IAP Green Initiative have formally opposed the proposed construction of an international cricket stadium in Islamabad’s iconic F-9 Park.
While voicing strong support for the expansion of Pakistan’s sports infrastructure, the organisations, in a letter to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, argued that this particular location poses a threat to the city’s environmental stability and public well-being.
“F-9 Park is more than just a public green space; it is the ecological lungs of Islamabad. It naturally filters the city’s air, mitigates flood risks through its drainage patterns, supports biodiversity, regulates urban temperatures, and offers free recreational space to thousands of citizens,” the letter stated.
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Ecological preservation
F-9 Park is designated for public use and ecological preservation, not large-scale, restricted-access infrastructure.
The IAP argues that NESPAK, though respected in engineering, lacks the specialized urban ecological planning expertise required for this sensitive project.
They call for a fair and transparent selection of qualified architects and urban planners experienced in sustainable design.
At a time when green conservation is a national priority, the stadium’s potential to uproot mature trees is seen as both environmentally reckless and unnecessary.
Major stadiums require seamless public transit access to avoid traffic gridlock, pollution, and disruption to nearby communities—features the F-9 location currently lacks, the letter added.
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Turning a free, open-access park into a ticketed venue would deprive citizens of a rare and vital public green space.
The IAP recommends locating the stadium on the city’s outskirts, where infrastructure can be designed to accommodate such projects without disrupting protected urban areas.
The IAP has offered its professional support to help identify more appropriate sites, design eco-sensitive solutions, and facilitate stakeholder consultations that align with Islamabad’s long-term environmental and social goals.
