ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Monday opened the financial bid for the country’s largest cricket stadium and the successful bidder turned out to be Habib-ZKB-EA JV.

The CDA received Rs8.9 billion bid for construction of the stadium, which will have a capacity of over 35,000 spectators. The proposed cricket stadium, which will be built at the foothills of Margalla Hills near Sector D-12 would be a sort of replica of the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Officials said once started the stadium would likely be completed within one year time. As per PC-I, the estimated cost of the project is Rs11.9 billion.

“The Habib-ZKB-EA JV has emerged as the successful bidder in the financial bid by quoting a price of Rs8.9 billion, of which Rs5.8 billion is for a three-tier stadium structure and Rs3.1 billion is for external works including three kilometres of three plus three lane roads, alongside its associated structures,” a source said.

CDA officials said two joint ventures – Habib-ZKB-EA and Lemar Builders and KC-BK-MI – had submitted their original design and financial proposals on ePADs in March as both JVs were declared responsive bidders.

Officials said CDA found Habib’s design more suitable and asked both bidders to submit their supplementary design and supplementary financial proposals, fixing the deadline for July 2.

On July 2, the Habib-ZKB-EA JV submitted the supplementary design and uploaded a letter stating that their original financial proposal would remain valid as the supplementary proposal in all respects. However, the other JV did not submit the supplementary design or financial proposal. Therefore, CDA opened bid of the said company.

Asked if CDA can go to award this contract to said JV as the other company did not submit the revised bid, an officer said the CDA completed all steps and as per PAPRA rules, work can be awarded to the said JV, which submitted Rs8.9 billion as this is an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) model project. However, he said the quoted rates would be shared with the consultant to check reasonability of rates.

“If the consultant, Nespak, okays the rates quoted by the JV in question we will move forward to award the contract,” an official said, adding that once started this project will be completed within one year as the interior minister, CDA chairman and member environment are paying special focus to this project.

The officer said the JV in question had experience of doing stadium project (Gaddafi Stadium work) in recent years as the EPC contractor of FWO. Currently, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is the only facility in the twin cities capable of hosting international matches.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2026