Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has strongly opposed the decision to rename Peshawar’s Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium after former Prime Minister Imran Khan, accusing Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur of attempting to “erase the province’s identity.”
His remarks came in response to the KP cabinet’s approval on Friday to rename the province’s only international cricket venue as Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, citing the ex-premier’s significant contributions to Pakistan’s cricketing history.
Governor Kundi, however, condemned the move, calling it “extremely inappropriate” and alleging that it serves to glorify an individual linked to the May 9, 2023, riots. He asserted that such a decision could embolden “anti-state elements”, a reference to allegations that Imran Khan orchestrated the violent protests following his arrest.
Kundi further claimed that the people of Peshawar stand united in rejecting the renaming of the stadium. He also criticized the PTI-led government for failing to renovate the stadium over its nine-year tenure, contrasting this with the rapid upgrades made to cricket venues in Lahore and Karachi under federal government and PCB initiatives.
Despite the criticism, KP Sports Minister Syed Fakhar Jahan defended the decision, stating that the move transcends politics and is a tribute to Pakistan’s greatest sporting icon.
A summary from the KP sports department, presented to the provincial cabinet, detailed the stadium’s history. Originally transferred to the sports board from the municipal corporation in 1986-87, the venue was later upgraded to meet international standards, particularly for the 1996 Cricket World Cup, which was co-hosted by Pakistan and India.
The summary also noted that KP has previously named various sports facilities in honour of notable figures, including Lala Ayub Hockey Stadium, Qayyum Stadium in Peshawar, Hanif Khan Sports Complex in Thana, Abdul Wali Khan Sports Complex in Charsadda, and Qazi Mohib Hockey Stadium in Bannu.
The renaming remains a divisive issue, with political tensions rising over its implications for the province’s cultural and historical identity.
