ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has concluded that it will not execute a lease agreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCD) to construct a cricket stadium in Shakarparian.

The PCB was supposed to construct a stadium on 35 acres of land in Shakarparian, which falls in Zone III of the capital.

The CDA and PCB had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard in 2012.

CDA, PCB had signed MoU in 2012 for a cricket stadium in Shakarparian

However, the CDA has decided it will not follow the MoU, claiming that the PCB failed to fulfil the MoU’s terms and conditions.

An MoU was also signed for the construction of a stadium in 2008, but the project was shelved by the CDA, which said the PCB had not adhered to the MoU’s terms and conditions. Another agreement was signed in 2012 in supersession of the previous one.

The Supreme Court has been hearing a petition filed by former secretary Roedad Khan, who had pleaded that the construction of a stadium in Shakarparian is not environmentally feasible.

The CDA and PCB are supposed to furnish their reports in this matter before the SC today (Friday). Sources said that in its report, the CDA has said it will not execute the project.

The report states: “CDA has decided not to execute the lease agreement as the PCB has failed to comply with the terms and condition of MoU.”

It also says that the PCB began constructing a boundary wall and felling trees in the area after the MoU was signed, without obtaining environmental clearance for the stadium. The CDA stopped the PCB’s construction after SC orders in 2013.

“Stadium will be constructed in such a way that the area beneath the stadium could be used for commercial purposes. The resources so generated from sports events from this venue or from commercial area by PCB will be shared between CDA and PCB at the ratio of 30:70 respectively,” the 2012 MoU stated.

It said that the PCB would call tenders for the stadium design after getting possession of the land, “and ensure functioning of the ground within one year of taking possession of the land”.

“Final selection of the design of the stadium will be joint decision of CDA and PCB, CDA hereby undertake to assist PCB in getting all the permission required for construction,” it said.

It said the PCB would ensure that the stadium is completed within three years from the date of possession of the site.

When contacted, CDA Member Planning Asad Mehboob Kayani said the CDA had decided not to execute the lease agreement with the PCB because the board had failed to comply with the terms and conditions under the MoU.

He added that the CDA would take this stance before the SC as well. A spokesperson for the PCB could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2018