Kundi opposes renaming of cricket stadium

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday opposed changing the name of Arbab Niaz Stadium and said the chief minister was on a mission to erase the identity of the province.

He was addressing as chief guest at the convocation of the Institute of Management Sciences (IMSciences) and a separate gathering at the Governor’s House here. He said naming the lone international stadium of the province after someone who was the main character behind the May 9 tragedy was an effort to strengthen anti-state elements.

The governor underscored the need to project the positive image of the province and highlight the educational progress made by its students. He stated that while the region was often associated with security concerns, it was important to showcase the high level of education among its youth.

The governor expressed concern over the absence of vice-chancellors in 34 universities across the province, urging the government to address the issue.Discussing the much-anticipated cricket match between Pakistan and India, the governor conveyed his support for the national team but stressed that prayers alone were not enough as performance was the key to victory.

Governor Kundi raised objections regarding the naming of the stadium after a convicted individual, questioning the legitimacy of such a decision. He lamented the lack of a sports stadium in Chitral, forcing athletes from the region to travel to Peshawar for games. He criticized the renaming of stadiums as an insufficient measure, stating that real service to the public required substantive action beyond symbolic gestures.

The governor reiterated his demand for renaming Islamabad International Airport after former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. He said that he had formally written to the prime minister regarding this matter, arguing that while the airport had been constructed, the name change was yet to be implemented.

In a political challenge, Governor Kundi called for a comparison between the performance of the chief ministers of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He suggested that if KP’s Chief Minister, Ali Amin Gandapur, had not outperformed his Sindh counterpart, he should step down. He added that if Sindh’s CM had underperformed, he should resign instead.

The governor criticized the provincial government for failing to protect the rights of KP and accused it of neglecting key infrastructure projects. He said that other provinces had developed canals under federal agreements, KP had been left behind. He, however, assured that the Chashma Right Bank Canal project would be launched this year.

Governor Kundi reaffirmed his commitment to standing with farmers, stating that he would continue to raise their concerns at the highest levels. He noted that despite writing to the provincial government on farmers’ recommendations, his concerns had been ignored.

He pledged to resend the proposals in line with his constitutional responsibilities and to stand with farmers in their struggle for fair treatment.Accusing the provincial government of failing KP’s agricultural sector, he challenged the provincial government’s policies, particularly regarding tax collection from landowners.

He warned that if the chief minister could declare civil disobedience, farmers could do the same in response to unfavourable policies. He questioned how the government planned to collect taxes from farmers while they faced economic hardships.

The governor vowed to deliver the recommendations from a recent farmers’ convention to the president, prime minister, and party leadership. He pledged to stand by landowners from Chitral to Dera Ismail Khan in their protests.