ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday announced lifting of ban on departmental sports in the country.

The ban was imposed by the previous government, asking all public departments, corporations and autonomous bodies to stop their funding to sports teams in 30 different disciplines.

The decision had led to thousands becoming jobless. But PM Sharif after assuming the office had pledged to restore the departmental sports with an aim to promote healthy games among the youth.

He said Pakistani sportsmen, who bagged top positions in the Commonwealth Games and Islamic Solidarity Games, had made the country proud and were an inspiration for the country’s youth.

The PM was speaking at a cash prize distribution ceremony for the winning sportsmen of the international sport events recently held in Birmingham, UK and Turkiye.

The prime minister said the entire nation was proud of the outstanding performance of the players who had proved their mettle with hard work and dedication.

He expressed confidence that the talented sportsmen would bring more laurels to the country and would continue to achieve success in their respective games.

PM Sharif said steps would be taken to hold sporting events at college and university levels to encourage the students get indulged in healthy activities.

The PM mentioned that Pakistan was passing through challenging times due to flash floods across the country.

He expressed grief over the death of around 800 people in last few months due to floods and said the government would leave no stone unturned to provide relief and rehabilitation to the victims.

Earlier, the PM gave away cash prizes to the players including Nooh Dastagir Butt, Shah Hussain, Sharif Tahir, Arshad Nadeem and several others at the special ceremony held here at the PM House.