Peshawar – The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s Standing Committee on Sports and Youth Affairs on Thursday reviewed the performance of the provincial Sports and Youth Affairs Department and directed officials to submit a comprehensive report on the provincial sports policy, facilities and development schemes at its next meeting.
The meeting, held at the Provincial Assembly Secretariat, was chaired by committee chairman and Member of the Provincial Assembly Zahir Shah.
Committee members and MPAs Farzana Shireen and Aiman Jalil Jan attended the meeting, along with the Secretary for Sports and Youth Affairs, the Director General Sports, directors of sports, and representatives of the Law Department, the Advocate General’s Office and the Provincial Assembly Secretariat.
The Secretary for Sports and Youth Affairs briefed the committee on the department’s performance, ongoing initiatives and development projects.
He said the department was undertaking a range of measures to promote sports across the province, improve youth welfare and expand access to modern sporting facilities.
These initiatives included the construction and development of playgrounds, sports complexes and youth centres, as well as programmes aimed at identifying and nurturing young talent, encouraging constructive youth engagement and supporting their social and economic empowerment.
The committee was informed that during the 2025-26 financial year, the department had focused on development schemes, sports infrastructure, the promotion of sporting activities in the merged districts, youth complexes and the Ehsaas Naujawan Programme.
The programme focused on employment generation, entrepreneurship and the provision of modern facilities for young people.
The department also organised district-level and inter-district sporting competitions, marathons, traditional games, activities at educational institutions and a range of national-level sporting events.
The Secretary said the department remained committed to promoting sports, supporting positive character development among young people and expanding opportunities for emerging athletes.
He said efforts would continue to ensure equal access to sporting opportunities for women and persons with disabilities, while improving the availability of modern facilities across the province.
These initiatives, he added, would help the youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa contribute more effectively to national development and play a constructive role in the country’s future.
During the meeting, committee member Farzana Shireen sought an explanation for the absence of furniture at the Directorate of Sports office in Bannu.
The Secretary informed the committee that the required furniture and other essential equipment would be provided after the completion of the building.
Concluding the meeting, Chairman Zahir Shah directed the Secretary for Sports and Youth Affairs and other relevant officials to submit a detailed report at the next meeting on the provincial sports policy, existing sports facilities and complexes, and ongoing and completed development schemes in Mardan, Mingora and Abbottabad.
