The stadium was first renovated to serve as host for the South Asian Games in 1989 with help of Chinese engineers.[5]
After years of inactivity due to the ban on Pakistan Football Federation by FIFA, the stadium served as host after 11 years since Pakistan ever held an international football event, for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification on 17 October 2023, which resulted in Pakistan's first ever victory in a World Cup qualifying match against Cambodia. Due to the scarcity of stadiums in Pakistan meeting FIFA standards, the stadium was refurbished including the grass, goalposts.[19] For the matches at the next round, the stadium went more reforms upgrading the floodlights and seats.[20]
The National Games held in Islamabad from June 28 to July 4, 2013 took place at the Pakistan Sports Complex, with a colourful opening ceremony at Jinnah Stadium, inaugurated by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. Around 2000 athletes from provincial and departmental teams competed across 29 Olympic sports, bringing a major multi-sport event back to the capital. Despite organisational challenges including disputes between factions of the Pakistan Olympic Association, the Games went ahead successfully. Pakistan Army emerged as the top-performing contingent, securing the overall winners’ trophy, while WAPDA and Punjab remained strong competitors throughout the week. Even with the off-field controversy, the Islamabad event became one of the city’s most significant sporting gatherings of the decade, showcasing national athletic talent and energising the country’s sports community.[8][23][24]
The Marka-e-Haq (“Battle of Truth”) Ceremony, held on 13 August 2025 in Islamabad, marked Pakistan's 78th Independence Day and celebrated its recent military victory in the Marka-e-Haq conflict. Attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and foreign dignitaries, the event featured military parades including contingents from Türkiye and Azerbaijan, an aerial fly-past by the Pakistan Air Force, cultural performances, fireworks, and the unveiling of a commemorative monument. In his address, the Prime Minister called for national unity through a “Charter of Pakistan’s Stability” and announced the creation of the Army Rocket Force Command. Earlier in the day, a grand defense exhibition at Shakarparian showcased military hardware from the conflict, while nationwide celebrations honored martyrs and reaffirmed Pakistan's sovereignty.[29][30][31][32]
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