PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has said his government is working under an integrated strategy to provide playgrounds and other allied facilities at district, tehsil and union council levels to promote sports activities in the province.

He said the move would help create a strong and healthy society by enabling the youth to utilise their capabilities in positive activities.

The chief minister stated this while chairing a meeting held on Wednesday to discuss various aspects, including the mechanism to acquire land for the project, according to a statement.

The meeting was informed that the project would be completed by fiscal year 2024-25 at an estimated cost of Rs3 billion. Under the project, the playgrounds for which land would be acquired would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs28 million, whereas the playgrounds for which land won’t be acquired would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs15 million.

According to the approved mechanism, each union council will have one playground. However, more than one playgrounds could be constructed on need basis.

The chief minister termed the project as of vital importance to boost sports activities in the province, and directed the quarters concerned to fix realistic timelines for its completion.

He also ordered steps to complete the upgradation of Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium by end of July.

Meanwhile, the chief minister chaired another meeting to further streamline the matters of tourism, sports and youth affairs department. The forum discussed a proposal to bifurcate sports and youth affairs from tourism to give it status of a separate department.

Mahmood Khan directed the authorities concerned to come up with a viable plan for the purpose within a month. He also directed the quarters concerned to complete homework for bifurcation of agriculture and livestock department as well.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2022