PM Shehbaz lifts ban on departmental sports

Ban was imposed by Imran Khan-led PTI government to stop its funding to sport teams in 30 different disciplines

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday announced the lifting of ban on departmental sports in the country, reversing the decision of former prime minister Imran Khan's government.

The ban was imposed by the PTI government asking all public departments, corporations and autonomous bodies to stop their funding of sports teams in 30 different disciplines. The decision had led thousands jobless from the positions of departmental sports.

https://www.facebook.com/pml.n.official/posts/633600698123220/

PM Shehbaz after assuming the office pledged to restore the departmental sports with an aim to promote healthy games among the youth.

He said that Pakistani sportsmen, who bagged top positions in the Commonwealth Games and Islamic Solidarity Games, had made the country proud and are an inspiration for the country’s youth.

Read more: Imran hits out at Shehbaz's 'begging mission' to Qatar

The prime minister was speaking at a cash prize distribution ceremony for the winning sportsmen of the international sport events recently held in Birmingham, UK and Turkey.

He said that the entire nation is proud of the outstanding performance of the players who have proved their mettle with hard work and dedication.

He expressed confidence that the talented sportsmen would bring more laurels to the country and would continue to achieve success in their respective games.

وزیراعظم پاکستان محمد شہبازشریف کی جانب سے کھیلوں سے وابستہ افراد کیلیے خوشخبری

ڈیپارٹمنٹل سپورٹس پر عائد پابندی ختم کرنے کا اعلان pic.twitter.com/ivSBAR7hZv

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) August 25, 2022

PM Shehbaz said that steps would be taken to hold sporting events at college and university levels to encourage the students to get indulged in healthy activities.

He also mentioned that Pakistan is passing through challenging times due to flash floods across the country. He expressed grief over the death of more than 900 people in the last few months due to floods, saying the government would leave no stone unturned to provide relief and rehabilitation to the victims.

Earlier, the premier gave away cash prizes to the players including Nooh Dastagir Butt, Shah Hussain, Sharif Tahir, Arshad Nadeem and several others at the special ceremony held in Islamabad at the PM House.