Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said the government of Punjab was establishing a sports city in Lahore with foreign collaboration, which would focus on promotion of female sports in the province.
He stated this while addressing as chief guest on the occasion of a female cricket match here on Thursday. He maintained the slogan of 'fair play for girls and education for every child' of Unicef closely aligned with the vision of Punjab government.
The 'educated Punjab' programme of the government had a special emphasis to enable both male and female population to play their roles in a fair and equitable manner. "Education reforms programme was specially focused towards the promotion of female literacy," he added.
According to him, his government's gender reforms action programme had been approved by the Punjab Cabinet and was being executed. Moreover, next year's budget would adopt the principles of gender budgeting to provide enhanced opportunities for female employment. Allocation for sports' activities had been enhanced manifold with a special budgetary enhancement for promotion of female sports.
He said holding of female cricket match would serve as a turning point in the sports field, as cricket was considered the main domain of men. He said that was 'indeed a great beginning and needed to be encouraged'. He hoped the teams participating in that match would become the selection material for future international events and envisaged that their women team performed to the highest level of their ability and did the country proud.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs 3 million for Pakistan Cricket Board - Women Wing.
Pakistan Cricket Board - Women Wing with the collaboration of Unicef arranged the female cricket match. Punjab Education Minister Mian Imran Masood, PCB Chairman Shaheryar Khan and a large number of students and spectators were also present to witness the match.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister reiterated Pakistan Muslim League (PML) support for Pir Shujaat Hasnain Qureshi as Tehsil Nazim Mian Channu in local bodies' elections. He made this announcement while presiding over a meeting at Chief Minister's House. He said it was incumbent upon all PML office-bearers and workers to maintain party discipline and make collective efforts for the success of Pir Shujaat Hasnain Qureshi.