PCB will return land if found to be on national park: Sethi

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi has denied that the board has done any wrongdoing and has insisted that the PCB only wants to construct a stadium in Islamabad and not the national park.

“If Shakarparian stadium proves to be a part of national park then we will return it,” he said.

A three-member bench of Supreme Court heard the request filed against the construction of a cricket stadium in Shakarparian by Rawaedad Khan.

The stance adopted in the request was that the construction of cricket stadium and a five star hotel will lead to an increase in pollution.

The court had put a ban on construction of the cricket stadium and cutting of trees till the May 2 hearing.

Sethi told the court, headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar, that the project of constructing the stadium commenced in 2008.

“We want to construct a stadium in Islamabad and not on the national park,” said Sethi, adding that it was the responsibility of CDA that it should not have given them a place in national park.

He further said that if Islamabad stadium proves to be a part of national park, then they will return the place.

The court said that an explanation has been asked from the CDA in this regard.

The Chief Justice remarked that the affected site in the national park will be restored in its original state.

He also said that we support sports and will assist PCB in obtaining a place for Islamabad Cricket Stadium.

The court adjourned the hearing for two weeks while keeping the ban on construction in place.