ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP):Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Dr Fehmida Mirza Sunday said the whole nation condemned the Sialkot incident in which a 49-year-old Sri Lankan factory manager Priyantha Kumara Diyawadanage was lynched by a mob over blasphemy allegations.
“Sialkot incident was a source of embarrassment for Pakistan. All political parties, the whole nation and the Overseas Pakistanis have also strongly condemned the tragic and sad incident. I have been getting messages from people who want to support the deceased’s family financially.”
“Islam teaches us a message of peace and we are peaceful people,” she said at a press conference in regard with the Kamyab Jawan Sports Drive here at the Pakistan Sports Complex.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar and Director General Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Col (R) Muhammad Asif Zaman were also present on the occasion.
Coming to sports, she said the year 2021-22 has been declared as the sports year. “It is the job of the federal government to promote sports and that is why successful youth sports program was being organized,” she said.
The minister said that players cannot flourish until we give them the sports infrastructure and facilities as per international standards and we would provide them.
“No federation can go out and say that we are representing Pakistan without the permission of the government therefore we are bringing in a National Sports Policy,” Dr Fehmida Mirza said and added that the sports facilities here at the Pakistan Sports Complex and in provinces were also being upgraded.
She said we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the SAPM on Youth Affairs Usman Dar for the uplifting and encouragement of the youth in sports.
“The MoU is aimed for working with coordination (IPC & Youth Affairs) for the promotion and encouragement of youth in sports,” she said and added that through the Kamyab Jawan Sports Drive beginning here on December 6 the youth would come to the grounds and indulge themselves in healthy sports activities.
To a question, athletes Arshad Nadeem and Talha Talib, the minister said ministry and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) would provide them all out support at all levels and were proud of them for displaying superb performance at the Tokyo Olympics.
