Orders transfer of plea challenging renaming of Arbab Niaz Stadium to another bench
Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium. Express Photo
PESHAWAR:
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday deferred the hearing of a writ petition challenging the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government’s decision to rename the historic Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium as Imran Khan Cricket Stadium and ordered that the case be transferred to another bench.
The petition was heard by a two-member bench comprising Justice Ejaz Anwar and Justice Waqar Ahmad. Petitioner’s counsel Ali Gauhar Durrani Advocate and the Additional Advocate General appeared on behalf of the provincial government.
At the outset of proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel informed the court that the provincial cabinet had approved the renaming of Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium on February 21, 2025, following which the name was officially changed. He argued that the decision violated guidelines framed by the K-P Administration Department, which bar naming public assets after living persons.
Durrani further submitted that the stadium was constructed in 1984 and was originally called Shahi Bagh Cricket Stadium, before being renamed Arbab Niaz Stadium in 1987. Under the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Local Council Rules, 1994, he said, the name of a place cannot be changed for 50 years once assigned.
He also told the court that PTI founder Imran Khan himself had expressed displeasure over the decision. Arbab Niaz Stadium, he added, is the only international cricket ground in the province, having hosted 15 one-day internationals and six test matches between 1984 and 2006, with the last international fixture, a Pakistan-India match, played in February 2006. After renovations that began in 2017 were completed, the stadium’s name was changed.
The court ruled that the matter be placed before another bench and adjourned the hearing, directing that the case be fixed for hearing at an early date.
