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Here’s a case of restraint and control. This office spent just 59.1% of its full estimated budget — and only 89.2% of what it actually received. No overspending. No red flags. Just clean, by-the-book financial management.

 Two Offices, Two Realities: The Budget Puzzle of Abbottabad”   In Abbottabad, two sports offices faced the same challenge: deliver results with public money. One played fast and loose with the rules. The other played it smart.   Office 1: The District Sports Officer   Budget Estimated: Rs. 1.96 crore   Funds Released: Rs. 1.35 crore   Amount Spent: Rs. 1.53 crore   Overspending: Over Rs. 18 lakh   Despite receiving only 68.8% of the total estimated budget, this office spent 78.2% of it. That’s 13.7% more than what they were authorized to spend. How? No official answer. No documented re-appropriation. No transparent justification.   This isn’t just bad math. It’s a potential breach of fiscal discipline. Experts say any extra spending must come with clear approvals — otherwise, it's just another audit objection waiting to happen.   Office 2: The Regional Sports Officer   Budget Estimated: Rs. 1...

Wari Football Tournament: A Spectacle of Skill and Unity Concludes in Upper Dir

    Wari, Upper Dir – The roar of the crowd, the thud of the ball, and the vibrant spirit of competition filled the air as the Wari Football Tournament drew to a spectacular close today. This multi-day sporting extravaganza, a testament to the power of collaboration between the District Administration and the District Sports Office Upper Dir, concluded with a lively and highly anticipated closing ceremony. Teams from across various regions of Upper Dir converged on Wari, bringing with them an electrifying energy that permeated every match. Throughout the tournament, these young athletes showcased not just remarkable skill and strategic teamwork, but also an unwavering commitment to true sportsmanship, captivating audiences with every dazzling play. The District Sports Officer, Mr. Sadiqullah, graced the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest. His presence underscored the significance of the event, and in his address, he lauded the exceptional performance and unwavering dedi...

Gali Bagh Super League: A Success of Cricket and Community in Wari Karo Darra

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  Wari Karo Darra, Upper Dir – The dust has settled, the cheers have subsided, but the essence of competition and camaraderie still reverberates through Wari Karo Darra after the successful culmination of the Gali Bagh Super League Cricket Tournament. This wasn't merely about wickets and boundaries; it was a colorful demonstration of community spirit and a strong argument for the good that sports can do. The climax attracted a huge audience, with zealous young people and respected local officials attending to experience the thrill of weeks of action-packed cricket. The dignified District Sports Officer (DSO) Upper Dir, Mr. Sadiqullah, honored the event as the chief guest, emphasizing the importance of the tournament. The atmosphere was abuzz with tension and excitement as trophies, prize money, and rightful appreciation certificates were awarded to the winning teams and individual players. These awards, facilitated by the kind generosity of the District Sports Office, rewarded ...

Budget Blowout in Charsadda — Sports Officer Spends Rs. 1.86 Crore More Than Allotted

    In Charsadda, a budget controversy is unfolding — and it's not just about numbers, it's about accountability.   The Case: District Sports Officer, Charsadda Working under the CA21C46 fund for Sports, Culture, Tourism, and Museums, the District Sports Officer appears to have sidestepped financial discipline during fiscal year 2024–25. According to official records:   Estimated Budget: Rs. 5,51,35,380   Funds Released: Rs. 2,44,01,046   Amount Spent: Rs. 4,29,95,874   That means the department spent Rs. 1.86 crore more than what was actually released — an overspend of 76.2% beyond its available funds.   Red Flags Raised   Finance experts are sounding the alarm. Spending over 76% more than the approved budget is not a minor oversight. According to fiscal rules, such excess spending is only allowed under two circumstances:   If the additional amount was officially approved through a supplementary grant...

📰 Lala Ayub Hockey Stadium in Ruins: Over Rs 120 Million Wasted, No Accountability

  The Lala Ayub Hockey Stadium in Peshawar, a flagship sports facility funded with over Rs 100 to 120 million of public tax money, stands in a state of complete disrepair—barely a year and a half after its completion. The project, overseen by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), was initially planned to be finished in six months but dragged on for over a year. Now, it's falling apart. The base layer of the turf has deteriorated Water sprinklers and fountains are non-functional Water supply machines are completely broken For over a week, the turf has been bone-dry, causing damage A single hole drilled for a water pipe cost Rs 9,000 – and it’s already useless From day one, Kikxnow reported signs of mismanagement and poor materials. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hockey Association later raised similar concerns. In response, the Pakistan Sports Board sent a fact-finding team led by Shahid Islam, who discouraged bringing the issue to the media. Despite their inspection, no further...

The Untouchable Wing of the Provincial Sports Directorate – Sports Destroyed, Billions Wasted, and Complete Silence

  Peshawar – The claims of promoting sports in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa exist only on paper. In reality, the “Works and Implementation Wing” of the Provincial Sports Directorate has become completely immune to accountability, policy, and transparency. No policies are followed, no two-year planning exists – even though the Chief Secretary of KP recently announced that officials posted for over two years would be transferred. But this wing seems to be above such rules.Worse, there are no responses to public inquiries, as if this wing operates like a state within a state. When RTI (Right to Information) requests are filed for basic public details, the response is: "This is not our job" – even though this wing operates under the Secretary of Sports.The question is: If it’s not their job, who is spending millions in public funds? At Islamia College's historic hockey ground, the turf project supervised by this very wing is now in ruins. There is no water for the turf, civil wor...

Khyber Archaeology Project Under Scrutiny for Rs. 2 Million Irregularity — RTI Response Still Pending

  A serious case of financial irregularity amounting to Rs. 2.009 million has surfaced in an archaeological preservation project in Shapola, Khyber District. The scheme, launched under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Development Project (KITE), allegedly involved excessive payments for work related to “providing, laying, and restoration of stone chipping.” According to sources, the approved quantity for stone chipping was 2,544 CFT, but records show that 9,719 CFT was billed — nearly four times the approved amount — resulting in a questionable excess payment. The project was awarded to M/s Shah Brothers for a total contract value of Rs. 30.44 million, of which Rs. 15.803 million has already been disbursed. The Auditor General's report highlighted that this additional work was neither technically sanctioned (TS) nor justified with proper documentation, raising concerns about the oversight mechanisms within the department. Information Request Ignored Despite Legal Man...

Purchase of Rs. 5.5 Million Generator for Swat Mini Sports Complex Raises Eyebrows — RTI Response Still Pending

  The purchase of a 50KVA diesel generator for the newly established Mini Sports Complex in Swat has come under serious scrutiny, with allegations of overpricing sparking demands for transparency. Despite a formal request submitted under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act, 2013 on May 1, 2025, the concerned authorities have yet to respond or provide the requested documentation. The application, sent to the Director Works of the KP Sports Department, sought detailed information related to the generator’s procurement, project costing, and financial approvals — but so far, there has been complete silence from the department. Key Information Requested Includes: The full BOQ (Bill of Quantities) of the Mini Sports Complex project Specifications of the 50KVA generator, including model, manufacturer, pricing, and supplier details An authenticated copy of the Rate Analysis Justification and basis for the Rs. 5.5 million price tag + 10% escalation approval File no...

Transparency Under Scrutiny in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Billion-Rupee '1000 Sports Facilities Project' — RTI Request Still Pending

  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...

Fake Sports Associations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Millions in Annual Grants, No Accountability

  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...