The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has granted significant interim relief to the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) by staying the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s decision to reclaim land from the Board. The court also ordered the immediate reopening of all sealed PSB offices and sports facilities in Peshawar. The decision was made by a two-member bench, comprising Justice Waqar Ahmad and Justice Khurshid Iqbal, after hearing a petition filed by the PSB challenging the provincial government’s actions.
The PSB’s legal advisor, Saif ur Rehman, argued against the sealing of the Board’s premises, and the court reviewed the arguments before suspending the KP government’s decision. The court directed the authorities to unlock the PSB-controlled venues and offices at the Qayyum Sports Complex, which had been sealed by the KP Sports Department on instructions from the provincial authorities. The bench also issued notices to the concerned parties and adjourned the case until January 15.
The dispute arose when the KP government attempted to take possession of the land and sealed multiple PSB-operated facilities, prompting the Board to seek judicial intervention. The PSB had argued that the sealing of its premises was unjustified and would harm the interests of sports in the country. The court’s decision has provided temporary relief to the PSB, allowing it to resume its operations and activities at the Qayyum Sports Complex.
The case highlights the ongoing tensions between the federal and provincial governments over the control of sports facilities and land in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The PSB, which is a federal entity, has been at odds with the KP government over the management of sports infrastructure in the province. The court’s decision is a significant development in the case, and the outcome of the hearing on January 15 will be closely watched by stakeholders in the sports community. Overall, the court’s intervention has provided a temporary reprieve to the PSB, but the ultimate resolution of the dispute remains to be seen.