Prominent political leaders, including Arbab Alamgir, Ghulam Bilour, Arbab Hayat, and former Governor Ghulam Ali, held a joint press conference in Peshawar to voice strong opposition to the renaming of Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium.
Arbab Alamgir criticized the decision, stating, “Renaming Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium after 37 years is beyond comprehension. The Chief Minister is resorting to such actions to cover up his shortcomings. With the southern districts slipping away from their control, they are more concerned with changing names. The Chief Minister has set a wrong precedent, and the traditions of the province must not be disturbed. The original name should be restored.”
He further remarked, “If renaming is necessary, they should rename the BRT after the former PTI chairman. Dragging politics into everything is not a healthy practice.”
Former Governor Ghulam Ali added, “The stadium was named in recognition of Arbab Niaz’s services. Renaming it has hurt the sentiments of Peshawar’s citizens and the Arbab family. Instead of renaming existing venues, the government should focus on building new stadiums. We strongly urge the government to reverse this decision.”
Ghulam Bilour, senior leader of the Awami National Party, criticized the provincial government, saying, “Ali Amin Gandapur couldn’t build a single stadium in twelve years. If the stadium’s name is changed today, tomorrow someone else will come and change it again. The government should construct a new international stadium and name it as they please. Everyone knows how they came into power.”
He concluded by saying, “The former PTI chairman’s honor lies in having a new stadium named after him, not by renaming an existing one.”
The leaders unanimously demanded the reversal of the decision, emphasizing that the province’s traditions and sentiments of the local people must be respected.
