KP CM terms Imran Khan an ideology

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said on Thursday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was an ideology and an ideology neither died nor faded away but only grew stronger.

“Our leader has been unjustly imprisoned, yet he has already won even by remaining behind bars. He will be free soon and once again become the prime minister of this country,” he said while inaugurating the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Games 2025.

The grand opening ceremony took place at the Peshawar Sports Complex which featured performances and a fireworks display.

The event was attended by Adviser on Sports and Youth Affairs Syed Fakhar Jehan, members of the provincial assembly, government officials, journalists, athletes, and a large number of students. Traditional dances added a cultural touch to the colorful ceremony.

A handout said with a total of 2,380 athletes competing, including 1,043 female participants, this year’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Games marks the largest sporting event in the province’s history.

Athletes from seven regional zones are participating, with 16 sports categories for men and 12 for women.

The competitions will include athletics, football, hockey, volleyball, basketball, karate, taekwondo, boxing, squash, table tennis, badminton, gymnastics, throwball, judo, wushu, and handball.

Sports venues hosting these competitions include Peshawar Sports Complex, Abdul Wali Khan Sports Complex Charsadda, Peshawar Board Sports Ground, Hayatabad Sports Complex, Pakistan Sports Board Coaching Centre, PSB Hall, Peshawar University, and Kohat Sports Complex.

During his address, the chief minister congratulated the Sports Department and the athletes for organizing the event.

He announced that gold medalists in these games would receive a monthly stipend of Rs 25,000 for one year.

Encouraging the participants, he emphasized the importance of perseverance, stating, “An athlete who learns to compete can never truly lose.”

The chief minister expressed his satisfaction over the inclusion of female athletes, reinforcing the idea that “Victory and defeat are part of the game, but even a loss can turn into a win. To compete in life, we must follow Islamic teachings, as a person who adheres to them always succeeds.”