The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has taken a major step toward developing Pakistan’s largest cricket stadium by opening the financial bid for the ambitious project, with Habib-ZKB-EA Joint Venture (JV) emerging as the successful bidder after submitting an offer worth Rs. 8.9 billion.
The proposed stadium will be constructed near Sector D-12 at the foothills of the scenic Margalla Hills and is expected to become one of the country’s premier sporting venues. Designed with a seating capacity of more than 35,000 spectators, the stadium will feature a layout similar to the iconic Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
According to the project’s PC-I, the total estimated cost stands at Rs. 11.9 billion. Officials expect the stadium to be completed within one year after construction officially begins.
The financial proposal submitted by Habib-ZKB-EA allocates Rs. 5.8 billion for constructing the three-tier stadium structure, while another Rs. 3.1 billion has been earmarked for external development works. These include the construction of approximately three kilometers of six-lane roads, along with supporting infrastructure around the stadium.
The bidding process began earlier this year when two joint ventures—Habib-ZKB-EA and Lemar Builders-KC-BK-MI—submitted technical designs and financial proposals through the government’s e-Pak Acquisition and Disposal System (e-PADS). Both firms were declared technically responsive after the initial evaluation.
Following a detailed review, the CDA found Habib-ZKB-EA’s design to be more suitable for the project and requested both bidders to submit supplementary designs and revised financial proposals by July 2.
Habib-ZKB-EA complied with the request by submitting its supplementary design while confirming that its original financial bid of Rs. 8.9 billion would remain unchanged.
The second joint venture, however, failed to submit either a supplementary design or a revised financial proposal. As a result, the CDA proceeded with opening Habib-ZKB-EA’s financial bid.
A senior CDA official said the authority has completed the required procurement process and is now eligible to award the contract under Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules, as the project is being executed under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model.
Before awarding the contract, the quoted rates will undergo a detailed review by the project consultant, National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak), to determine whether the proposed costs are reasonable and in line with market standards.
“If Nespak approves the rates quoted by the joint venture, we will move forward with awarding the contract,” the official said.
The official added that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa, and the Member Environment are closely monitoring the progress of the project and are committed to ensuring that construction is completed within the one-year timeline.
Habib-ZKB-EA brings relevant experience to the project, having previously worked as the EPC contractor for the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) during the redevelopment of Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Once completed, the new stadium is expected to significantly strengthen Pakistan’s cricket infrastructure. Currently, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is the only international-standard venue serving the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The new stadium will not only increase Pakistan’s capacity to host international cricket events but also provide modern facilities for players, fans, and future sporting events, making it one of the country’s most significant sports infrastructure projects.
