ISLAMABAD, Feb 2: Ministry of Tourism and Youth Affairs, out of its eight planned youth hostels, has completed four in different cities of the country.

Total cost of the project is Rs26.997 million, official sources said here on Saturday.

A similar number of youth hostels are under-construction, they will be completed soon.

The four hostels, being run by Pakistan Youth Hostels Association (PYHA), have been completed at Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta and Larkana while construction of four other hostels is in the process of completion at Gilgit, Murree, Karachi and Jamshoro.

The total number of youth hostels in the country has risen from 10 to 18. Ten youth hostels constructed by PYHA are already situated at Lahore, Taxila, Bhurban, Khanspur, Abbottabad, Balakot, Naran, Batakundi, Katas and Sheran.

The objectives of these hostels are to encourage youth to step-out and seek knowledge about this country, its people, tradition and culture.

Youth are provided with furnished accommodation and other related services on very nominal charges.

The Ministry has also constructed nine Sports Stadiums at Tehsil level at a cost of Rs22.369 million to provide sports facilities at the grass roots level, as these are essential for physical and mental health.—APP