KARACHI: The curtain fell at the National Games came on Saturday with a televised closing ceremony at the National Stadium where Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari hoped the unity on display at the week-long extravaganza extended to the nation.

With Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir the chief guest at the ceremony, the only media allowed at the venue was state broadcaster Pakistan Television.

He said that Sindh was “proud” to have hosted the sporting event.

Field Marshal Munir declared the Games closed where Pakistan Army reigned supreme with 196 gold medals across various sporting disciplines, finishing well ahead of Wapda who bagged 85 golds. Pakistan Navy were third with 36 golds.

Among the provinces, Punjab led with 16 gold medals. Sindh was the second-ranking province, securing 11 gold medals, and finishing sixth on the overall table behind Higher Education Commission, who grabbed 14 golds.

“These National Games were not merely a competition of speed, strength or skill; they were a celebration of Pakistan itself,” Bilawal told the audience. “From Gilgit-Baltistan to Gwadar, from Khyber to Karachi, from Lahore to Larkana, every athlete who competed here carried the colours of their province but stood united under one flag.”

“To our athletes, you are the pride of Pakistan. Whether you return home with medals or memories, you return as ambassadors; ambassadors of discipline, perseverance and national unity.

“You have shown us what Pakistan’s youth can achieve when given the opportunity and encouragement. Sport teaches us teamwork, courage, respect for rules and resilience in the face of challenge. These are not just sporting values, they are national values,” he added.

Talking about the May conflict with India, the PPP chairman said that the country’s armed forces demonstrated professionalism, coordination and strength.

“Pakistan emerged victorious with its sovereignty defended and its honour upheld. This victory was not only a military victory, it was a national one. It reflected the unity of our people, the discipline of our forces and the unbreakable bond between the nation and those who stand guard over it,” Bilawal said.

“As these National Games conclude, may the friendships formed here endure, may the lessons learnt here guide us and may the unity displayed here continue to define our federation,” he concluded.

SCOREBOARD

(Tabulated under teams, gold, silver, bronze, total)

Army 196 96 56 348

Wapda 84 71 74 229

Navy 36 39 33 108

Punjab 16 38 72 126

HEC 14 38 65 117

Sindh 11 25 57 93

PAF 9 16 26 51

KP 5 18 45 68

Balochistan 4 14 30 48

Railways 3 4 22 29

Islamabad 1 4 10 15

Police 1 2 25 28

GB 0 0 7 7

AJK 0 0 7 7

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2025