WNAM REPORT: The business community, civil society, and residents of the twin cities have strongly demanded that the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium be relocated outside the urban area. Speaking to representatives of trader organizations today, Chairman of the Clean and Green Islamabad Movement, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, said that the current location of the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is having a negative impact on urban life and economic activities.
He noted that the stadium is located in the center of Rawalpindi, and whenever national or international matches are held, extensive security arrangements — which are commendable for preventing any untoward incidents — lead to the complete sealing of the surrounding area. During recent matches, traffic in the twin cities remained blocked for hours, causing severe inconvenience for daily commuters. Nearby markets and business centers are forced to close, resulting in significant financial losses for traders. Access to hospitals, schools, and offices becomes difficult, severely disrupting public life.
Bakhtawari emphasized that while traders support the promotion of sports, organizing matches at the expense of citizens’ comfort is unacceptable. He highlighted that repeated security lockdowns and traffic disruptions are causing daily financial losses amounting to millions of rupees and are damaging the local economy.
He urged the government to immediately shift the stadium out of the city. He suggested relocating it near the motorway or in the outskirts of Rawat, where a modern stadium can be constructed with better arrangements for parking, security, and other facilities. He called on the government to take this matter seriously and initiate prompt action for the stadium’s relocation to provide a lasting solution to the public’s grievances.
