Jamrud   -  Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri on Sunday said the government was taking revolutionary steps for the welfare of the youth and work was underway to provide them sports facilities as per international standard in every tehsil and district.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Pakistan Sports Festival, which got underway here at Jamrud Sports Complex, Noor-ul-Haq Qadri said keeping in view the importance of physical and mental fitness of the youth, Prime Minister Imran Khan had initiated 1000 playground project. 

He said that youth were our precious asset and attracting them to healthy activities was one of the top priorities of the government. The minister said that practical steps had been taken in all parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and integrated districts without any discrimination to empower the youth.

He said sports infrastructure was being developed to bring forward the talented players so that they could bring laurel for the country.

Noor-ul-Haq Qadri said that Pakistan Sports Festival, being organised in all tribal districts, would ensure commutative exposure to the talented tribal youth. This assured that peace had been restored in the entire province. Our Armed Forces had rendered matchless sacrifices for the restoration of peace, he added.

Holding Pakistan Sports Festival would help the youth to hone their talent in healthy activities. 

He said the federal and provincial governments were paying special attention to sports activities and that was why the provincial government had allocated a handsome amount of Rs2.7 billion in this regard for development of sports infrastructure under Prime Minister 1000 Playground facilities.

Earlier, Federal Minister Noor-ul-Haq Qadri formally inaugurated the Pakistan Sports Festival wherein 2500 players were taking part. 

Member Provincial Assembly Shafiq Sher, Brig Shaukat Rana and Col. Nadeem and Additional Deputy Commissioner Noor Wali Khan, Director Sports Integrated Districts Pir Abdullah Shah, Sports Manager Rahid Gul Molaguri, Additional Assistant Commissioner Ashrafuddin were also present on the occasion.

More than 2500 players from six tehsils of Khyber district, including Landi Kotal, Bara, Malaguri, Tirah, Zakhakhel and Jamrud, will participate in six different sports including cricket, football, basketball, volleyball, badminton and basketball. The Pakistan Sports Festival would continue until March 23, 2021.