More stadiums

The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is the only venue for international cricket matches in the Rawalpindi-Islamabad region. Due the on-going ICC Champions Trophy 2025, a portion of Muree Road is totally closed during the movement of players and the Stadium Road is completely closed during the matches. The metro bus service is also halted. These closures lead to severe traffic jams on surrounding roads and the life of those living close to the stadium comes to a standstill. The lack of efficient alternative routes exacerbates the problem. Traffic gridlocks also hinder the movement of emergency vehicles, such as ambulances and fire trucks, potentially putting lives at risk.

To ensure minimal disturbance to daily life, it is pertinent for the authorities to deploy traffic police to implement better traffic management strategies and establish distant park-and-ride facilities which can reduce the number of vehicles heading toward the stadium area. The situation also calls for more venues capable of hosting international sporting events of this scale. The construction of more international cricket stadiums is not just a solution to traffic problems but also a step toward promoting cricket, boosting the economy, and improving infrastructure across Pakistan.

Air Cdre (r) M Khalid Kamal

Islamabad