PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday granted the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government a final opportunity to submit its reply in a petition challenging the renaming of Arbab Niaz Stadium as Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, warning that the case will be decided on the available record if no response is filed.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Ejaz Khan and Justice Faheem Wali heard the case.Counsel for the petitioners, Ali Gohar Durrani Advocate, informed the court that the provincial government had renamed Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium as Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, Shahi Bagh, following approval by the provincial cabinet on February 21, 2025. He argued that the decision violated the guidelines of the Administration Department, which prohibit naming public assets after living individuals.
The counsel stated that the stadium, constructed in 1984, was originally known as Shahi Bagh Cricket Stadium before being renamed Arbab Niaz Stadium in 1987.He contended that under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Council Rules, 1994, the name of a public place cannot be changed within 50 years of its designation.
The counsel told the court that the Advocate General’s Office had written to the Director General Sports seeking amendments to the relevant rules. The court was informed that the government had repeatedly sought time to submit additional documents but had failed to do so.
The bench noted that similar requests for adjournments had been made during hearings on March 26 and April 21, 2026.In its written order, the court stated that the provincial government had been given a final chance to submit the required documents. It warned that if the documents are not produced at the next hearing, the case will be decided on the basis of the available record.The Additional Advocate General sought time during the hearing, following which the court adjourned proceedings and directed the government to ensure submission of the documents.
