PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani has said that a sports complex of international standard will be set up over the extra land of commissioner house in Abbottabad with an estimated cost of Rs300 million to facilitate players.

Talking to journalists here on Sunday, he said that funds had already been allocated for the purpose but land was not available. “Now the project would be executed following the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan to utilise state land for welfare of people and revenue generation,” he added.

Mr Ghani, who is also acting governor of the province, said that 99-kanal extra land of the commissioner house would be utilised for construction of the international standard sports complex, badly needed by the people and youth of Hazara region.

Mushtaq Ghani says Rs300m to be spent on the Abbottabad project

“With the construction of such well-equipped sports complex, tourist resort Abbottabad would again become a centre of attraction as summer venues for national and international sports activities are concerned. The sports complex would provide opportunity to the youth of Hazara to show their skills,” he said.

Mr Ghani assured sports promoters and youth that the project would be completed in record span of time. He added that construction of sports complex in Abbottabad would bring a positive change in the overall behaviour of youth.

“This is actually the change promised by Prime Minister Imran Khan. Today I feel proud to announce such a historical project of construction a sports complex over the extra land of commissioner house,” he said. He added no one could even think of taking such steps in the past. He said that according to the vision of Imran Khan, all resources would be utilised to bring change in the living standard of people of the country. The stadium would have a multi-purpose sports gymnasium in which all indoor games could be played, he added.

“Since long, we were in search of a land as funds have already been approved for the purpose. Thank Almighty Allah, PTI once again came into power to serve the downtrodden people,” said Mr Ghani.

Asked about hurdles to construction of sports complex, he said that time would come soon and people would see more such things to be happened in bringing positive change in the life of youth, the future builders of the country.

“Youth are our real asset and strength so we are keeping more focus on them by ensuring conducive environment for them so that they could be fit both mentally and physically for the tough future challenges,” he said.

Mr Ghani said that government had its own priorities to resolve the long awaited problems of the people pertaining to education, health, drinking water and sports. He said that the steps would be taken in consultation with local community so that their issues could be resolved.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2018