Peshawar: The historic Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium in Peshawar has been officially renamed as the “Imran Khan Cricket Stadium” by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, despite opposition from various quarters, including former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan himself.
A signboard bearing the new name has been installed at the stadium, replacing the decades-old identity associated with the name Arbab Niaz. The decision has sparked controversy, especially since Imran Khan had reportedly instructed that the stadium’s original name remain unchanged.
The renaming was approved by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who recently announced the move, triggering criticism from the descendants of Arbab Niaz. Arbab Shehzad, the son of Arbab Niaz and a former KP chief secretary and advisor to Imran Khan, rejected the decision to rename the venue.
