Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives directed the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) and the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to submit the Narowal Sports City PC-1 by November 30.
According to the sources, the minister issued these directives while presiding over a meeting to review the progress of the Narowal Sports City, located here. Officials from the IPC, the PSB, Nespak, and the Public Private Partnership Authority (P3A) Board were present at the meeting.
The minister expressed his displeasure with the delay and chastised IPC officials for failing to complete the projects. “There is no progress despite the lapse of seven months which shows the non-serious attitude of the ministry,” the minister stated, adding that public money must be used for the public.
The Sports City has 14 stadiums and sports courts, including football, cricket, hockey, volleyball, table tennis, squash, badminton, lawn tennis, and other games, and the minister’s swimming pools. However, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) halted this project in 2018, depriving athletes of this facility.
During the meeting, the minister also directed the P3A Board to establish a company on December 15 to assist in the maintenance of the Sport City while recommending people from various walks of life to work for the company. The minister noted that the CDWP had directed the formation of such a company to be in charge of the management and upkeep of the Sports City.
The minister further stated that the Narowal Sports City should be a national asset that is a profitable and credible resource for the country and the face of Pakistani sports spirit.
In addition, the planning minister directed the concerned authorities that the project be operational by March 23, 2023, and that all necessary procurements be completed before the deadline, emphasizing the importance of the public interest project.