Opposition parties oppose renaming of Arbab Niaz Stadium

PESHAWAR: Opposition parties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday opposed the renaming of Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium and demanded the provincial government to reconsider its decision.

Speaking at a joint press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUIF), Awami National Party (ANP), and other political groups criticised the move.

Former federal minister and PPP leader Arbab Alamgir expressed his disapproval, stating, “There are already numerous pressing issues in the province. For 37 years, it has been called Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium. The government should focus on resolving serious law and order problems instead of setting harmful precedents. While I acknowledge that the founder of PTI is a popular leader, that does not mean others’ rights should be ignored.”

Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor and JUIF leader Haji Ghulam Ali also opposed the decision, saying, “The stadium was named after Arbab Niaz in recognition of his contributions. Instead of making such unnecessary changes, the government should address Peshawar’s severe traffic congestion by building new roads. Removing Arbab Niaz’s name does not serve any meaningful purpose and only disrupts long-standing traditions.”

ANP leader and former federal minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour accused the provincial government of creating an unnecessary controversy. “This is not a major issue, but the chief minister has turned it into one. It is disgraceful that Chief Minister Ali Amin could not build a stadium of his own. Instead, he is replacing the name of a stadium built by others with that of PTI’s founder. What will happen if another government comes and removes his name in the future? Would that be acceptable?”

Bilour further challenged the PTI-led government, stating, “If Ali Amin wants a stadium named after his leader, he should build a new one. Competing with Maryam Nawaz politically is a greater challenge than renaming a stadium. The chief minister is not honouring PTI’s founder by renaming Arbab Niaz Stadium - he is humiliating him. If they truly respect their leader, they should construct a new stadium in his name.”