The Peshawar High Court Thursday directed the provincial government to submit a detailed report regarding the renaming of Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium after Imran Khan.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Sadiq Ali Momand heard the petition challenging the change in the stadium’s name.
During the proceedings, the Additional Advocate General and counsel for the petitioner appeared before the court.
The petitioner’s lawyer argued that the renaming of the stadium was carried out in violation of existing rules and regulations. He maintained that, under established court rulings and government guidelines, no public asset can be named after a living person.
The counsel further contended that Imran Khan is alive and had himself opposed the renaming of the stadium.
Justice Syed Arshad Ali remarked that there are clear judicial precedents stating that public places cannot be named after living individuals.
The bench observed that if the government intends to honour Imran Khan, it may construct a new facility and name it accordingly.
The Additional Advocate General requested time to submit the official record related to the decision. The court granted 10 days for the submission of the complete record.
The hearing was adjourned, and further proceedings will take place after the report is submitted.