Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting, here Thursday which reviewed progress on programmes of setting up e-libraries and construction of new playgrounds especially cricket grounds in the province. The CM accorded approval for constitution of sports steering committee headed by Hanif Abbasi. Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz said that youth are bright future of Pakistan and Punjab government has taken revolutionary steps for their empowerment.
He said that youth commission has been established in the province. He directed that Directorate of Youth Affairs should also be activated at the earliest. He said that cricket and playgrounds are being constructed for the promotion of healthy activities among the youth of the province and work is continuing on the project of construction of 92 cricket and playgrounds throughout the province including Lahore.
He directed that construction work of cricket and playgrounds should be completed soon and a comprehensive plan be evolved for providing cricket playing facility in the existing playgrounds. He said that arrangements for playing cricket at night should be made in the schools of the province which have big grounds. He said that floodlight arrangements should be made in newly constructed cricket grounds for holding tournaments at night.
The CM said that setting up of cricket and playgrounds is necessary for motivating the youth towards healthy activities. He said that Sports Endowment Fund has also been established in the province and sports academies will be set up at district and divisional level.
He said that e-libraries program will have to be forwarded speedily with innovation. Ten e-libraries will be established at all costs during the current years, he added. Shahbaz took strict notice and expressed displeasure over delay in setting up of cricket grounds, playgrounds and e-libraries during last year and directed to constitute an inquiry committee headed by Chairman Chief Minister's Inspection Team. DG Punjab Sports Board gave a briefing regarding progress on the programs.