LAHORE, Feb 12: The Punjab government is pursuing a comprehensive programme to promote sports and playgrounds are being constructed throughout the province, says Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

According to a handout, the chief minister was talking to reporters after inaugurating a hockey ground and a gymnasium in Model Town here on Sunday.

Mr Sharif said sports helped the youth polish their abilities and a gigantic project of constructing playgrounds from Rahim Yar Khan to Attock was being implemented.

He said the provision of sporting facilities was responsibility of the Punjab government and it was fulfilling its obligation efficiently. Besides playgrounds for outdoor and indoor games, gymnasiums were also being constructed, he added.

He said AstroTurf would soon be laid in the Model Town hockey ground besides ensuring more facilities for spectators.

He said democracy meant furthering the mission of national service, removing flaws and setting the matters right by learning lessons from mistakes.

He said difference of opinion was beauty of democracy and rendering public service was basic principle of democracy. He said he had discussed energy crisis with the prime minister during recent meeting of the Council of Common Interests.

He said generating energy through coal and biogas was also discussed with the prime minister and that he had also agreed to the prime minister’s decision to hold an energy conference in Lahore. He expressed his hope that the prime minister would announce some solid steps to overcome the energy crisis in that conference.

The chief minister also inaugurated Ittefaq Sports Complex in Model Town. He also distributed prizes among hockey players and later saw a friendly match.

Later, he inaugurated a gymnasium equipped with modern facilities, including a basketball pitch and a fitness centre.

Meanwhile, the chief minister has said that foundation stone of Ashiana Iqbal Housing Scheme on Burki Road will be laid on March 23 and besides construction of five, seven and 10-marla houses, apartments will also be constructed in that colony.

Taking a briefing regarding the project here on Sunday, the chief minister said that after the success of Saroba Attari Ashiana Housing Scheme, thousands of houses with modern facilities would be constructed in Ashiana Iqbal Housing Scheme for the poor and common man.

Punjab Land Development Company (PLDC) Chairman Sheikh Alauddin, Planning and Development Board chairman, senior Board of Revenue member, DCO and other officers were also present. PLDC chief executive officer Momin Agha gave the briefing.