KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari inaugurated the Kakri Sports Complex and Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Football Ground on Wednesday.

The complex was completed under the Karachi Neighbourhood Improvement Project (KNIP) with a cost of Rs1.36 billion in a short span of 18 months.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari was accompanied by his sister Aseefa, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Mayor Murtaza Wahab and others.

A large number of residents of Lyari were also present.

The PPP chairman and Ms Aseefa also cut a cake to celebrate the 70th birthday for their mother and slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

At a convocation, PPP chief tells graduating students Pakistan is not property of a few individuals

Speaking on the occasion, the PPP chairman congratulated the people of Lyari for having such a modern sports facility in their locality.

He asked Lyari residents to own the sports facility.

He said that the newly elected Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab would bring more such projects in different parts of the metropolis to engage youths in positive and healthy activities.

Briefing Mr Bhutto-Zardari, the chief minister said that the project was launched in January 2022 and completed in June 2023. The project scope comprised of a sports complex having a multipurpose building on a footprint of 18,000 square feet accommodating 45 parking spaces in the basement.

He said that the developed Kakri Sports Complex boasted several features that would enhance the sporting experience and overall well-being of the community with the upgrade and addition of additional spaces to achieve diversity.

Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Wahab informed the audience about the upgraded and rehabilitated football ground with proper levelling, increased size and improved drainage.

The surface, he said, was covered with state-of-the-art artificial turf of an international brand. This will provide an opportunity for sports lovers to play round the clock and even use night hours to achieve a higher level of skills, he added.

‘Our youth are our assets’

Earlier in the day, the PPP chairman attended the third convocation of DHA Suffa University at the DHA Golf Club auditorium.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that one should not indulge in dirty politics against people.

“Also those who prompt or manipulate youngsters into violence and promote hate while creating divides don’t deserve to stay here,” he said.

“It’s now time for our youth to understand their responsibilities and take over the reins of this country,” he added.

He also said that there was no room for any kind of negativity now as the country had other things to focus on such as the challenges brought on by inflation, poverty and unemployment.

“We need to unite against these challenges,” he said, adding that today’s youth believe in merit and transparency.

“Pakistan is not the property of a few individuals. It belongs to us all. Our youth are our assets. They are our future, our hope,” he said, while advising the graduating students to not pay heed to negative talk or to people trying to involve them in useless fights or such things as pointing fingers at others.

270 get degrees at Suffa University convocation

Some 270 students were awarded degrees during DHA Suffa University’s convocation.

The academic procession led by Suffa University’s Vice Chancellor Engr Prof Dr Mohammed Afzal Haque also included the guests of honour Mr Bhutto-Zardari, CM Shah and Sindh Minister for Universities and Boards Mohammed Ismail Rahoo.

The PPP chairman presented 26 gold medals and 13 silver medals to the position holders.

The chief minister presented degrees to students of engineering and applied sciences while Minister Rahoo represented degrees to MBA students.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2023