‘Rs7.5bn to be spent on developing sports infrastructure’

LAHORE: Punjab Youth Affairs and Sports Department in collaboration with Regional Directorate Anti-Narcotics Force Punjab organised an awareness seminar ‘Invest in Prevention’ under the theme of ‘Say no to Drug and Stay Healthy’ on International Anti-Narcotics Day at SBP E-Library here on Wednesday.

Addressing the seminar Director General Sports Pervez Iqbal said, new sports grounds and facilities are being constructed in far-flung areas of the province with the cost of Rs7.5billion while Rs6.5billion will be spent on the restoration of old sports complexes and facilities. Addressing the seminar, Director General Sports Pervez Iqbal said that Sports Board Punjab is organising healthy sports programmes and activities to eradicate the menace of drugs from the society.

“Ending the scourge of drugs is indispensable for establishing a healthy society and Sports Board Punjab is utilizing all of its resources for this noble cause,” he said. He said such events will prove to be very helpful for the eradication of drugs menace among the youth. “We are ready to sign an MoU with Anti-Narcotics Force Punjab to eradicate drugs from the society. Our all facilities are available for healthy activities,” he said. Pervez Iqbal said true sports culture is being promoted as per vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He congratulated Brig Sikandar Hayat and his team on organising an effective awareness programme to eradicate drugs.

Director General Sports Pervez Iqbal, Akhuwat Chairman Dr Amjad Saqib and Commander Anti-Narcotics Force Punjab Brig Sikandar Hayat were the guests of honour on this occasion. Director Admin M Kaleem, Director Youth Affairs Rana Nadeem Anjum, Olympian Khawaja Junaid, Commissioner Girl Guide Prof Sarwat Hamid, Prof Dr Shaheena Asif and Uzma Umar were also present. Chairman Akhuwat Dr Amjad Saqib on this occasion said teachers and parents can play an important role in protecting the youth from the menace of drugs. Parents should spend plenty of time with their children to protect them from bad company, he said.

Dr Amjad Saqib said that drug rehabilitation centres are quite expensive and to avoid such an expensive treatment a drugs addict patients’ rehabilitation should start from their homes.