A controversy has erupted over the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government’s decision to rename Peshawar’s historic Arbab Niaz Stadium as “Imran Khan Cricket Stadium.”
K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has approved the renaming, with the proposal set to be presented before the provincial cabinet on Friday for final approval.
Opposition to the Name Change
Arbab Shehzad, the son of Arbab Niaz and former Chief Secretary of K-P, has strongly opposed the move. He stated that the stadium was named after his late father through a resolution passed by the Peshawar Municipal Committee, and renaming it to honour Imran Khan is unjustified.
He further pointed out that Imran Khan himself opposed naming roads and buildings after living individuals. In 2013, under Khan’s directives, the provincial cabinet had passed a resolution against such practices.
PSL Matches in Peshawar in Doubt
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports suggest that no HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches will be played in Peshawar this season, as franchise teams have reportedly refused to play in the city.
The controversy has sparked debate among cricket fans and political circles, with many questioning whether the name change is appropriate.
