ISLAMABAD - CDA formally handed over the 35-acre piece of land to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the construction of international cricket stadium in federal capital on Monday.
CDA chairman Farkhand Iqbal handed over the possession of land to PCB General Manager (HR & Admin) Javed Manj in a ceremony held here at the sight. Speaking at the occasion, Farkhand Iqbal said:
 “The CDA handed over the land without charging a single penny from the PCB. We will get 30 percent share of the income generated through the matches and other activities that will be held here and it will benefit CDA a lot.”
He also said that President Asif Ali Zardari, patron of PCB, had earlier ordered the early handing over the land to the PCB.
“The ground will be ready in one-year and local lads will also be provided healthy sporting activity as well,” he said,
To a query regarding cutting of trees from the proposed land which will affect the beauty of the capital as it is against the master plan of the federal capital, Farkhand replied: “We have already started to plant saplings in bulk and in a very short span of time, we will be able to plant thrice the amount of trees that will be cut from the stadium sight.”
Speaking at the occasion, PCB GM HR and Admin Javed Manj said: “The project will be completed in five years, but the stadium will be opened for playing in one year time for local matches. The stone laying ceremony will be held after completion of routine documentations and a date in this regard will be announced soon.”