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  Serious questions have been raised over the transparency and financial management of the multi-billion-rupee "1000 Sports Facilities Project" launched in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to promote sports infrastructure across the province. Despite filing a formal Right to Information (RTI) request on May 1, 2025, no response has yet been received from the concerned department, even after 15 days.   Investigative journalist Musarrat Ullah Jan submitted a detailed request under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act, 2013, seeking critical data from the office of the Project Director of the scheme. However, the continued silence from the Directorate of Sports has raised concerns about possible concealment of facts. What Information Was Requested? The RTI application demanded clarity on several key components of the project, including: District-wise and year-wise breakdown of funds released between 2020 and 2024 A list of completed, under-construction, and stalled spor...

  while the government claims to be promoting sports in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), ground realities paint a starkly different picture. Investigations reveal that most sports associations in the province are inactive, unregistered, and controlled by families. These associations receive millions in annual grants but fail to present any performance reports or financial audits. According to sports policy, every club and association must be registered through the District Sports Office (DSO). However, in most districts, DSO offices neither register clubs nor oversee their operations. Most associations are run by family members: the father is president, the son is general secretary, and the wife holds another key position. These bodies often lack offices, coaches, or any contact with actual athletes. Nearly all associations have submitted identical constitutions, lacking sport-specific structures or needs. These are mere copy-paste documents, used only to fulfill formalities on paper...

  In a detailed media talk at the historic Lala Ayub Hockey Stadium in Peshawar, President of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hockey Association, Syed Zahir Shah, shed light on the province’s recent hockey achievements, administrative challenges, and future plans to uplift the sport. Zahir Shah shared that hockey activities in the province have remained active for the past eight months, with significant youth participation. In September 2024, KP fielded two teams in the Junior National Hockey Championship camps. One team reached the semifinals but lost 4–3 to Pakistan Customs, who went on to win the championship. The second KP team exited at the quarterfinal stage. Following this, the team participated in the Quaid-e-Azam Games, where they secured a silver medal — a major milestone for the province. KP then competed in the National Championship in Karachi, progressing to the pre-quarterfinals and narrowly missing the quarters due to goal average despite a commendable performance. The ...

  A Mix of Diplomatic Shame, Mismanagement and Official Ignorance In December 2024, what was to be an historic All Pakistan Female National LaCrosse Championship in Abbottabad came to a close in chaos, confusion, and controversy. With Pakistan set to host a prestigious national event and the Japanese Ambassador attending as chief guest, the sudden cancellation of the championship not only revealed blatant administrative negligence but also serious doubts regarding the competence of the sports administration machinery in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This debacle has now turned into a case study of how mismanagement, conflicting stories, and diplomatic insensitivity can destroy both sports people and international relations. As per the LaCrosse Association, preparations were made, Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and other province teams were set to arrive, and even flight tickets had been booked. But a day before the first match, the district administration suddenly canceled the c...

  Peshawar: A detailed Right to Information (RTI) request submitted by investigative journalist Musarrat Ullah Jan to the Director General of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the District Sports Officer (DSO) Karak remains unanswered, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the utilization of public funds meant for sports. In the RTI, Musarrat Ullah Jan sought clarification on how Rs. 3.3 million allocated for sports activities in FY 2023-24 was spent, as official reports state that Rs. 3.29 million has already been utilized, without any breakdown of expenditures, event details, or results. Similarly, the sports development budget for FY 2024–25 remains unclear. While the report mentions that Rs. 5.57 million has already been spent, there is no clarity on the total budget or how these funds were utilized. The RTI further requests the following: Complete details of 14 newly trained players in FY 2024–25, including names, gender, sports discipline, and their pe...

  Abbottabad: In response to an RTI (Right to Information) request by journalist Musarrat Ullah Jan, the District Sports Officer Abbottabad shared details about the sports budget and activities for fiscal years 2023–24 and 2024–25. However, the information provided raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability. According to the official document, a total of PKR 3.8 million was allocated and fully utilized for sports activities in 2023–24. For the fiscal year 2024–25, the budget has been reduced to PKR 3 million, out of which PKR 2.25 million has already been spent. The report claims that 21 sports activities were held in 2023–24 and 33 so far in 2024–25. However, it fails to mention the type of games played, the exact venues, or how many athletes participated in these events. There is also no breakdown of expenses per event or any evidence of public documentation. It states that financial assistance and cash prizes were provided to international players, parti...

  Serious concerns over financial transparency have emerged in District Malakand's Department of Sports and Recreation after it overspent its allocated funds by more than Rs. 7.2 million during the fiscal year 2024–25. While the department was allocated a total budget estimate of Rs. 29,385,700, the government only released Rs. 20,721,377. Shockingly, the department reported expenditures of Rs. 27,928,057, exceeding the released amount by Rs. 7,206,680.   📊 Key Budget Figures – District Malakand: Item       Amount (PKR) Total Budget Estimate     29,385,700 Released Budget               20,721,377 Reported Expenditure    27,928,057 Overspending (Beyond Release)               7,206,680 Budget Utilization Rate   95% (of estimate) Expenditure vs Release 135%   The ove...

  The District Sports Office (DSO) Abbottabad has yet to respond with the requested information under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act, 2013, despite a formal application submitted by a journalist from Peshawar. With just one month remaining in the fiscal year 2024–25, the delay has raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability. The request, submitted on February 15, 2025, sought complete details regarding all sports competitions and training camps organized during the fiscal years 2023–24 and 2024–25, including dates, locations, participating teams/athletes, associated expenditures, and the financial or technical support provided to players. It also requested a breakdown of employee salaries within the DSO’s annual budget. So far, the Abbottabad Sports Office has only replied with a vague assurance that the matter is "being looked into," yet no concrete details or documentation have been provided. This lack of response is being viewed as a ...

  In a shocking and increasing trend, people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are misusing the identity of sports to go abroad, demand money rewards and government recognition for false representation of Pakistan, while having no official connection with sporting federations, teams, or national teams. Sources in the KPK Sports Directorate and independent coaches verify that numerous so-called "athletes" have gone abroad from Pakistan on the pretext of individual participation in international sporting events—predominantly martial arts, squash, and taekwondo—without acquiring necessary approvals, NOCs, or federation support. "They go to privately funded or open international events, usually paying for themselves or employing personal sponsors. Upon their return, they give medals and certificates and falsely say they represented Pakistan," a senior KPK Sports Board official said, asking not to be named.". Investigations uncover a chilling trend: sports is being exploi...

  In an effort to promote tourism and strengthen police presence in key tourist areas, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government procured 25 Honda 150cc motorbikes for the Tourism Police. These bikes, branded with the official Tourism Police logo, were distributed across six districts as follows: Peshawar (Head Office): 6 Galiyat Development Authority (Abbottabad): 5 Kaghan Development Authority (Mansehra): 4 Upper Swat Development Authority (Swat): 4 Kalash Development Authority (Chitral): 4 Kumrat Development Authority (Upper Dir): 2 While the distribution appears organized on paper, a glaring issue stands out: Peshawar received six motorbikes—the highest allocation—even though the city is not considered a tourist destination by any standard. Unlike the scenic regions of Galiyat, Kaghan, Swat, Kalash, or Kumrat, Peshawar sees little to no tourist traffic. So why assign the largest number of motorbikes to a non-tourist zone? There is no visible or active use of these bikes...

  Peshawar – Several coaches and officials affiliated with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Directorate are allegedly misusing their official positions, resources, and authority to operate personal NGOs and self-styled sports federations. These practices are not only harming the integrity of sports institutions but also constitute blatant violations of government service rules. According to credible sources, some coaches are using government sports complexes and coaching centers to conduct programs under the banner of their private NGOs. Equipment and donations meant for athletes are reportedly diverted — in some cases, sold — instead of being distributed to deserving players. There are also instances where government coaches have appointed their family members to leadership roles in their unofficial federations. These appointments are then allegedly used to seek benefits from governmental or foreign organizations. Such practices raise serious ethical and legal concerns, includi...

  Nearly six months after an incident involving two of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s top female badminton players during the Quaid-e-Azam Games, a delayed inquiry has finally been concluded. According to the findings, the players were accused by their coaches of misbehaving during the event and allegedly scratching their medals in protest. The inquiry report—signed by two coaches from the Provincial Sports Directorate—was surprisingly issued on the official letterhead of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Badminton Association. The report claims the players displayed inappropriate behavior during the games and allegedly “damaged the image of the province.” However, while the inquiry’s conclusion might appear to settle the issue, it raises even more critical questions: 🕵️ ‍ ♂ ️ Who Formed the Inquiry Committee? One of the most glaring issues is the lack of transparency regarding the formation of the inquiry committee itself. Was any official notification or press release issued when the comm...

The Hayatabad Sports Complex has recorded significant financial performance from April 2024 to date, generating an estimated PKR 27 million in revenue, according to official sources within the Directorate of Sports, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The detailed financial records, which include income deposits and maintenance expenditures, have been reviewed and approved by the Director General (DG) Sports. These records are available for inspection at the directorate’s office, signaling a commitment to transparency and accountability. The swimming pool emerged as the highest revenue-generating facility, despite its seasonal operation. Its popularity and consistent demand during operational months have made it a crucial source of income. Following closely behind is the gym, which outperforms all other sports facilities in year-round earnings. The complex currently operates with a team of 33 permanent staff members and 23 daily-wage workers, ensuring the smooth day-to-day functioning of the pre...

  For the first time in its history, the district of Buner in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa hosted a colorful and dynamic three-day cultural and traditional sports festival titled “Buner Gul Da Namir 2025” . Organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Directorate, the event successfully blended regional sports, culture, music, poetry, food, fireworks, and various recreational activities. The festival drew enthusiastic participation from all six tehsils of Buner, highlighting local identity and providing youth with a platform for positive engagement. Men’s sports competitions were held at Government Degree College Daggar, while events for women took place at Government Hashim Sar Girls College. The festival’s name, Gul Da Namir , is inspired by a red flower native to Buner, symbolizing the beauty and uniqueness of the region. The opening ceremony at Government Degree College Daggar was a grand affair, inaugurated by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Provincial M...

  Musarrat Ullah Jan In June 1946, the first meeting of the NWFP Olympic Stadium Committee was held under the chairmanship of Brigadier A.M. Bruce Scott, the then Division Commander. It was decided to build an Olympic-style stadium at Polo Ground Peshawar. The foundation stone was laid by the then Provincial Finance Minister, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar. The plan was registered under the Indian Companies Act in January 1947. In April 1947, the non-Muslim members of the committee migrated to India. In 1948, a new committee was formed, led by Major General Nasir Ahmed (late). He passed away in 1950, but the land remained under the committee's control. Due to a lack of construction funds, a significant meeting was held in January 1952 under the Chief Minister of NWFP, Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan. A new stadium committee was formed and the Provincial Government took control of the project. To raise funds, 10,000 tickets were sold, and around Rs. 300,000 in donations were collected. Con...

    Former President of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Olympic Association, Syed Aqil Shah, inaugurated a new snooker academy in Peshawar Cantt, marking another step toward promoting cue sports in the region. Addressing the attendees at the opening ceremony, he appreciated the initiative, calling it a positive opportunity for youth engagement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sharing a personal anecdote, Shah recalled a past effort where he brought snooker equipment from Singapore and Delhi—a time when such gear was rare in Peshawar. He mentioned an encounter with Imran Khan during a flight from Delhi, where Khan had asked about the equipment he was carrying. Shah told him it was snooker gear, brought in to help promote the sport locally. “Back then, you couldn’t find it here. Things have changed now,” he added. He also praised the provincial Sports Directorate for establishing a snooker academy at the Hayatabad Sports Complex. However, Shah didn’t hold back from raising an important issue...

  Peshawar – The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government initiated the "1000 Sports Facilities Project" five years ago with the aim of establishing sports infrastructure like playgrounds, gyms, indoor halls, and cricket academies in 1000 places. But since 2023, the project has gone totally silent. Not only has the construction process stopped, but the disbursement of funds has also been stopped. The Planning and Sports Departments have not released development funds for any sub-scheme since 2023. Dozens of sites are still under construction. The half-finished buildings are crumbling, and most of the projects have been the victim of negligence and bureaucratic indifference. In the early years, a few districts had some open-air gyms, but even those have now been left to complete neglect. In certain areas, open-air gyms were installed without delegating responsibility to anyone, and they disappeared after three months. An example of such a gym in Abbottabad's Lady Garden also...

  Peshawar  - An alarming misuse of public sports infrastructure has been uncovered in Peshawar, where the second floor of the District Sports Office (DSO) building is reportedly being used as an unauthorized residential facility by students and other individuals. Eyewitnesses report that the area is being used like a private hostel, complete with round-the-clock air conditioner use — all within a facility meant for athletic administration and development. Sources confirm that the space has not been officially designated or approved for residential purposes by either the provincial Sports Directorate or the district administration. Yet, multiple individuals with no formal association with sports are living there. Residents of the area told this reporter that the occupants are neither athletes nor office staff, though some of them can be seen playing football in the evenings — possibly to avoid suspicion. A departmental insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, remarked:...

  Peshawar – In a concerning example of non-compliance with transparency laws, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) has failed to respond to an official Right to Information (RTI) request submitted on April 7, 2025 by journalist Musarrat Ullah Jan. The RTI application sought critical information regarding: A list and copies of academic qualifications of former Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) employees now working at KPCTA. Details about the degree verification process, including the verifying bodies and the findings. Copies of regulations approved by the KPCTA Board of Directors. Recruitment and employment policies for the transition of TCKP staff to KPCTA. Internal audit reports concerning the transition process. Soon after the application was submitted, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of KPCTA acknowledged receipt and requested an official letter for record purposes. The PRO verbally assured that the required details would be...

  Peshawar: The Anti-Corruption Department has launched an inquiry into the controversial return of funds allocated for the construction of a sports complex in Leeloni, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. An official notice has been sent to the Provincial Sports Directorate, demanding a detailed report on the matter. Sources revealed that during the caretaker government's tenure, a modern sports complex was planned for Leeloni. However, not only was the project abruptly halted, but a suspicious letter was also sent to the Deputy Commissioner, allegedly from the Finance Department, instructing that the allocated millions be returned to the Provincial Sports Directorate. Upon contacting the Finance Department for clarification, the Deputy Commissioner was informed that the letter was fake. Investigations further revealed that the allocated funds were supposed to revert directly to the Finance Department, not to any other authority, raising serious concerns over the attempted misappropriation. ...

      Peshawar: The proposed sports complex project in Chouha Gujar has also fallen victim to the caretaker government’s decision to halt it. The Anti-Corruption Department has now officially taken notice of the issue. According to sources, the Sports Directorate had acquired land for this project and built walls as part of the preliminary work for the construction of the sports complex. The aim of this project was to provide sports facilities to the nearby areas of Peshawar, particularly Chamakni and other neighboring regions. However, during the caretaker government’s tenure, the project was abruptly canceled. The "Section Four" status of the land was also revoked, and now, the valuable land is being sold off in plots. The situation has worsened because the provincial government is now facing a shortage of land for the construction of a horse riding club. A horse riding club, with an estimated cost of 20 crore rupees, was planned, but there is no available lan...

    PESHAWAR, - A major corruption scandal has rocked the sports sector, with widespread reports of "ghost employees" and fraudulent deputations crippling development and draining public funds. Sources within the Sports Directorate reveal that numerous employees, particularly those in Grade 4 positions, are absent from their primary duties, instead serving in other departments or performing personal tasks for high-ranking officials. These transfers, often termed "deputations," frequently lack proper authorization or documentation. At the same time, "ghost employees" – individuals who exist only on paper – continue to draw salaries and benefits without ever reporting to work. This illegal practice is not only wasting valuable resources but also severely impeding the progress of sports initiatives across the region. Experts warn that the ongoing corruption threatens the credibility of sports institutions and could undermine public trust in the govern...

    The state of the athletes' hostel at Peshawar Sports Complex has seriously declined, depicting the mismanagement in the province's sports sector. Sources state that the hostel doors have been termite-infested, and most of the rooms' washrooms are beset with dampness and mold, making it an unhealthy and unsafe place for the athletes. Moreover, the hostel ceilings are experiencing water seepage, raising fears about possible flooding and water damage.   In spite of the allocation of funds every year for the maintenance of this facility, these funds have not been spent efficiently, and the condition of the building has deteriorated year by year. This hostel is the sole residential facility for sportsmen in Peshawar, but its maintenance and upkeep are still grossly neglected. The inaction and silence of the provincial Sports Directorate's administration cast grave doubts about the government's intentions regarding the welfare of athletes. For the athletes, this...

  The Abbottabad District Sports Office (DSO) is currently facing a significant staffing shortage that is affecting its operations and the services it provides to local athletes and communities. Despite having key staff members in place, several important positions remain vacant, which may cause delays in addressing critical sports-related issues in the region. The current staffing situation reveals that while some key roles are filled, there are still crucial positions that remain unfilled. These vacant positions are in essential areas such as Junior Coaches, Assistant, Groundman, and Watcher. Here’s a closer look at the staffing details: The office has a number of officers and staff, including the District Sports Officer (Junaid Rehman Waheed), Senior Clerk (Yasir Khan), Junior Clerk (Amir Shahzad), and various support staff such as Chowkidars, Sweepers, and Malis. Positions like the Computer Operator, Junior Coaches, and Tube Well Operators are filled, ensuring that basic ...

    An internal record from the District Sports Office of Charsadda reveals a startling reality: while most lower-grade positions (BPS-03)—such as gardener, watchman, sweeper, and groundman—have been filled, key administrative and technical posts remain vacant, severely affecting the office's overall performance. According to available data, although Gul Rukh is currently posted as the District Sports Officer (BPS-17), the post of Administrator (BPS-17) remains unfilled. Critical roles like Assistants, Coaches, Computer Operators, and Manager-cum-Groundmen (BPS-16) are entirely vacant. The most concerning detail from the District Sports Office located within Abdul Wali Khan Sports Complex is that all coach positions (BPS-16) are vacant, directly impacting the training of athletes. Additionally, Senior Clerk (BPS-14) and Junior Clerk-cum-Typist (BPS-07) positions are also unfilled, potentially disrupting day-to-day office operations. Even technical roles such as Tube Well...

    PESHAWAR – The newly appointed Director General (DG) of Sports in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faces serious challenges, with one of the most pressing issues being the uncertain future of hundreds of daily-wage coaches who have been serving across various cities for years without permanent status. Despite dedicating up to a decade to the development of athletes at district, provincial, and national levels, many of these coaches remain classified as temporary employees. Most have previously been athletes themselves, representing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in major national competitions, yet their services have been consistently undervalued. The situation worsened when, in 2022, the then-DG abruptly terminated the services of more than 294 daily-wage employees, including coaches, many of whom continued to train athletes voluntarily without any salary for nearly a year. Their services were reinstated by former DG Abdul Nasir Khan in 2023; however, they remained under informal and unstabl...

    In an unusual and genuine moment in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Directorate, Sports Minister Syed Fakhar Jahan volunteered to host the National Games each year, asserting that if any province cannot take on the role, KP stands prepared to rise to the occasion. "Not everything is about money," he maintained, "particularly in sports. We are fully committed to providing our athletes with support and will continue improving facilities and opportunities in the future as well." This ceremony—historic in context—commemorated several milestones. It was the first of its kind to converge the employees of the sports directorate, the coaches, the District Sports Officers (DSOs), and association representatives at one place. The ceremony saw farewell being given to the outgoing Director General Abdul Nasir Khan (who has since been posted as Deputy Commissioner) and arrival of the new DG, Tashfeen Haider. The long service of the Directorate's finance head, who remai...