SWABI: Work on the construction of a sports complex began here on Monday.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and Provincial Minister for Sports and Tourism Amjid Afridi inaugurated the work in Baja village, six kilometers from the district headquarters.

Amir Nawab, former member of the governing body of Pakistan Cricket Board and cricketer Yasir Shah, who belongs to the district, and PTI local leaders and workers were in attendance.

On the occasion, Mr Qaiser said that the Swabi sports complex would have all the required modern facilities, catering to the growing requirements of youth. “If youth have adequate sports facilities they will not fall into the wrong hands,” he said.

The complex would cost Rs200 million and would be completed in two years, he said, adding that it was a gift of the provincial government to the people of Swabi.

Mr Qaiser said that if given chances youth could do wonders in national and international games like fast bowler Junaid Khan and Yasir Shah who are prominent members of the national cricket team.

The assembly speaker said that the sports complex would also have facilities of indoor games like basketball, volleyball, table tennis and badminton.

Speaking on the occasion, Amjid Afridi said the government had been taking measures for developing more sports facilities across the province, including rural areas. “We strive to identify and groom fresh talent in every sport in line with the objectives of the PTI-led government,” he added.

The government has pledged to build 200 playgrounds in the province.

GIRL RECOVERED: A 20-year-old girl, who was abducted by three brothers from Bannu two months ago, was recovered here on Monday.

District police officer Sajjad Khan told media persons that the girl was abducted from Kagai village of Bannu, and was brought to Karnal Sher Khan Kili here.

Her father, Taimur Shah, had registered an FIR about her disappearance.

The DPO said that the three brothers, Gul Maluk, Said Alam and Sher Wali had rented a house in Mal Lara area, adding that local people informed the police that some strangers had been living in their midst.

The official said a police party led by DSP, Razaar, Arbab Shafiullah and SHO Mushtaq Khan raided the house and arrested the three brothers along with the abducted girl. A case was registered against them in Kalu Khan police station.

Meanwhile, police arrested a smuggler identified as Abid Ali and recovered one kilogram charas from him. A case was registered against him.

The police also claimed to have arrested a proclaimed offender identified as Nadeem Khan.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2015

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