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Showing posts from January, 2025

Kohistan Lower Youth Programs Performance: More Events in 2024-25 Compared to 2023-24, Budget Changes Increase Costs, and Continuation of Gender-Biased Policy"

    The District Youth Office Kohistan Lower held more events in the first half of 2024-25 compared to the entire year of 2023-24, with a focus on national days and various cultural observances. According to the report, a noticeable increase in expenses has been documented for these programs. A total of ten events were held in 2024-25, most of which took place at Government High School Patan. These programs included Tree Plantation Day, Stability Day, Independence Day, Career Counseling, Naat recitation, and Kashmir Black Day, among others. The costs for these events also saw a rise, with the report noting that when the budget was not approved, the prices for banners and flexes were lower, but once the budget was sanctioned, these prices increased significantly. For instance, a budget of 30,000 rupees was allocated for the purchase of trees for Tree Plantation Day, but it was not mentioned where these trees were planted. The report further highlights that most of the eve...

Lower Kohistan: Inactive Youth Office Activities and Questions

      A report issued by the District Youth Office of Lower Kohistan for the year 2023-24 has revealed several key findings, raising questions about the activities conducted during the fiscal year and their effectiveness. According to the report, the District Youth Office organized various events throughout 2023-24, but the only expenses incurred were for banners, while other activities were carried out with no significant costs or resources. The most surprising aspect of this was that most of the activities took place at Government High School Pattan, where a large number of students participated. However, no activities were held specifically for females.   14th August 2023 (Independence Day): An event was held at Government High School Pattan, with around 300 students attending. The expense for this event was only 2,000 rupees, which was for the cost of the banners. 6th September 2023 (Defense Day): At the same school, 250 students attended the event, and...

Lack of Sports Infrastructure and Budget Constraints Highlighted in Battagram District Sports Office Report

  The District Sports Office Battagram has  come   up with some  critical information through an RTI report for the fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25. The report  throws  light on the  problems  facing the district's sports development, including  a lack of  infrastructure ,  no budget,  and  minimum  activities for sports promotion. According to the report,  the entire district possesses  only one sports ground ,  signifying  the  nonavailability  of  sport-related  facilities for athletes.  Though   28 events  were arranged  in 2023-24, the  count   drastically   declined   to 13 in 2024-25,  depicting  a  fall  in sports activities.  There are  just  three registered clubs or associations ; therefore ,  sports   receive very  limited organizational support . The office  runs ...

Mardan Deforestation Green Lung of Mardan Felled: Sports Complex Deforestation Sparks Outrage

    The Mardan Sports Complex, once a verdant haven for athletes and nature lovers, is now at the center of a heated controversy. The so-called "standardization" project, aimed at modernizing the facility with new footpaths and walking tracks, has come at a heavy environmental cost. Dozens of trees that adorned the complex have been cut down, leaving the community and environmental advocates in uproar.   While the need for infrastructure improvements is understandable, the destruction of trees that provide vital shade, oxygen, and aesthetic appeal raises critical concerns. These trees have long been an integral part of the sports complex, offering not only respite for athletes but also contributing to the fight against climate change. Their removal has stripped the complex of its natural charm, replacing lush greenery with lifeless concrete.   Experts emphasize that urban greenery, such as the trees at the Mardan Sports Complex, acts as a "green lung," mit...

Green Lung of Mardan Felled: Sports Complex Deforestation Sparks Outrage"

  Mardan: The Mardan Sports Complex, once a haven of greenery, is now under siege. Under the guise of "standardization," authorities are ruthlessly felling trees, leaving a trail of environmental destruction in their wake. The project, which aims to construct footpaths and a walking track, has prioritized concrete over conservation, sparking widespread outrage among environmentalists and the public. While the need for modernizing the sports complex is undeniable, the wholesale destruction of trees raises serious concerns. Experts argue that these trees not only provide vital shade and oxygen for athletes but also play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate change. Their removal will not only diminish the utility of the complex but also inflict irreparable damage to the local ecosystem. Local residents are deeply troubled by the government's apparent disregard for environmental concerns. They argue that with careful planning, it was possible to integrate ...

Citizen Demands Transparency in Peshawar Youth Affairs Budget Through RTI Request

A citizen has submitted a Right to Information (RTI) request to the District Youth Affairs Officer in Peshawar, demanding clarity and accountability regarding the utilization of funds allocated for the fiscal year 2024-25. The application raises concerns about underutilization, discrepancies, and the lack of transparency in the management of the Youth Affairs Department's budget. The RTI seeks answers to several pressing questions: Budget Details and Expenditures The total budget allocated for Peshawar's District Youth Affairs Department for 2024-25. The amount released so far and the total expenditures made. The reasons behind the gap between released funds and actual expenditures. Program Funding Clarification on the use of Rs. 2,836,000 for specific programs or activities. Details of where Rs. 4,199,641 has been spent so far. Underutilization and Strategy Reasons for underutilization of funds and steps being taken to ensure timely utilization of the remaining Rs. 10,070,140....

KP Hockey President Zahir Shah supports local associations and emphasizes discipline in response to the Swat incident.

  In a statement recently given at Lala Ayub Hockey Stadium in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Hockey Association President Zahir Shah made it clear that the issue he is dealing with is a local association issue, and said his association is willing to extend all possible help to the local body if the matter is formally placed before them. According to Shah, the KP Hockey Association remains supportive of its local associations at all times while strictly maintaining a high level of discipline within its sport at any level. "Discipline matters most for anybody in hockey, asserted Shah on an occasion for media interaction with journalists. Not only the players but everybody working needs to behave by the diktats. His words come in light of a recently controversial incident reported at the Swat hockey tournament, a matter that brought concern within the local hockey setup. Though a clear description about the incident had not been aired, Shah, however, established that it shoul...

Lala Ayub Hockey Stadium: KP Hockey Association Threatens Protest Over Neglect

    President of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hockey Association Syed Zahir Shah on Wednesday expressed his deep concern over the deteriorating condition of Lala Ayub Hockey Stadium here. Talking to journalists, he criticized the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for not making public the findings of the inquiry committee that was formed by the PSB to address issues of the stadium. Syed Zahir Shah said the PSB had formed an inquiry committee headed by Shahid Islam after complaints surfaced about the deplorable state of the stadium. "The committee visited the site, saw the defects and was told about all the issues. Yet no action has been taken so far," he said. He went on to despise the nighttime hammering of nails into the turf as something shocking and very dangerous and creates a very significant risk of potential harm for all players. "Instead of addressing the problem, they have complicated matters. Players will now risk being injured from the nails," he added. He also ...

Citizen Demands Transparency in Peshawar Youth Affairs Budget Through RTI Request

    A citizen has submitted a Right to Information (RTI) request to the District Youth Affairs Officer in Peshawar, demanding clarity and accountability regarding the utilization of funds allocated for the fiscal year 2024-25. The application raises concerns about underutilization, discrepancies, and the lack of transparency in the management of the Youth Affairs Department's budget. The RTI seeks answers to several pressing questions: Budget Details and Expenditures The total budget allocated for Peshawar's District Youth Affairs Department for 2024-25. The amount released so far and the total expenditures made. The reasons behind the gap between released funds and actual expenditures. Program Funding Clarification on the use of Rs. 2,836,000 for specific programs or activities. Details of where Rs. 4,199,641 has been spent so far. Underutilization and Strategy Reasons for underutilization of funds and steps being taken to ensure timely utilization of th...

Abdul Wali Khan Sports Complex Charsadda: Fountains on Hockey Turf in Bad Shape, Repair Works Are Underway

    The fountains that have been installed at the Abdul Wali Khan Hockey Turf, Abdul Wali Khan Sports Complex, Charsadda have become miserable in condition. Recently, they had been added as part of a renovation for improving the turf's beauty but the installation went wrong and it became dysfunctional, leaving the local players and viewers unhappy. The fountains were meant to be not only aesthetic but also a refreshing source for the atmosphere in sporting events, but technical flaws in their construction have made them ineffective. Their repair and return to proper working conditions are being carried out at this time. Local authorities are working on rectifying the situation and ensuring that the fountains will be fixed to work as intended. The idea is that while aesthetics should be preserved at the sports complex, the facilities should be as good as can be for athletes and visitors alike. When this is done, the fountains should, again, play a role in making the venue...

RTI Request Filed for Abdul Wali Khan Hockey Turf Restoration Details

  A formal request has been made under the Right to Information Act, 2009, seeking crucial details about the status of Abdul Wali Khan Hockey Turf at Charsadda Sports Stadium, which was allegedly cut by the Anti-Corruption Department. The inquiry, directed at the Sports Department and District Sports Officer (DSO) of Charsadda, aims to uncover information about the repair and restoration process of the damaged turf. The request includes specific questions regarding: The actions taken by the relevant authorities after the damage. Details on whether any repair efforts have been made, and if not, the reasons for the delays. A copy of all official documents related to approval for restoration works. Information about the allocated funds and the progress of the repair efforts. The reasons for the delay in restoration and identification of responsible officials. Steps taken to provide alternative facilities for local players during this period. The requester has emphasize...

Peshawar’s Sports Budget: Salaries Dominate Amid Lack of Activities

  Peshawar’s district government has unveiled its budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, estimating a total of 249.4 billion rupees. Out of this, 44.8 billion rupees have been allocated to the district government, with 108.8 billion rupees earmarked for various sectors. The sports budget details reveal a concerning trend: Total Allocated Budget: 20,299,000 rupees Released Budget: 3,589,482 rupees (17.7%) Sports Expenditures: 8,943,676 rupees (44.1%)   A substantial portion of the sports budget is directed towards salaries and employee expenses at the District Sports Office Peshawar, which includes coaches and administrative staff. Alarmingly, despite the government's commitment to allocate five percent of the budget for youth welfare programs, no sports activities have been conducted in the past six months.   Salaries consume a large share of the sports budget, sidelining actual sports initiatives. There is an urgent need for effective measures to promote y...

Obsolete Online: Sports Website of Peshawar Fails the Test of Times

    In Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, an important source of online information is lagging behind the modern times. Official sports website of the province is facing a volley of criticism that it is really obsolete. The official sports website of the province, https://mergedsports.kp.gov.pk/ , is facing a wave of criticism for being hopelessly outdated In today's digital age, where information is free-flowing, the content of the website is very much stagnant, creating a huge gap in public knowledge. Since the new leadership came into power, the website was left frozen in time, showing messages from long-gone officials such as Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapure and Razi Ullah, Director of Merged Areas. This lack of updates is causing frustration among citizens and stakeholders alike. Sports enthusiasts, athletes, and even local media outlets rely on this website for crucial information. With outdated messages and missing updates from key figures like the Directo...

Peshawar Sports Complex: Crores Spent on Turf, Now at Risk of Destruction

  Peshawar: The Lala Ayub Hockey Stadium in Peshawar Sports Complex, which received an investment of over Rs. 10 crore from the Pakistan Sports Board in 2022, is facing the threat of destruction. The machines responsible for watering the turf have malfunctioned, leading to severe waterlogging and potential damage to the expensive investment. It has been revealed that the malfunction is due to a fault in the check valves of the machines. As a result, the machines are unable to drain water effectively, forcing the staff to manually remove water from the turf every time. Despite this critical issue, the Sports Directorate administration failed to address the problem promptly. When the condition of the turf started deteriorating due to waterlogging, the Administrator of Peshawar Sports Complex resorted to a makeshift solution. He made holes in the pipes to directly spray water onto the turf. However, this temporary fix has further aggravated the situation. The elbow used to create ...

termite-Infested Courts at qamar zaman Squash Complex Hamper Player Progress

  Peshawar: The two squash courts at the renowned qamar Zaman Squash Complex, inaugurated in 2011, are crumbling under the weight of a severe termite infestation, creating a frustrating and potentially dangerous environment for players. Around 100 players, including many aspiring young athletes and female players, rely on these courts for daily practice. However, the termite damage has rendered the courts treacherous, with sections of the floor becoming loose and unstable. Squash coaches at the complex lament the deteriorating conditions, stating that the damaged courts severely hinder player progress. "Training on these courts is practically ineffective," says Coach , "Newcomers are struggling to develop their skills, and even six hours of dedicated practice yields minimal results." Despite the subpar conditions, players are still obligated to pay practice fees, leaving them feeling frustrated and unheard. "It's unfair," complains a young female...