Army to fully support Quaid-i-Azam Games, says Pirzada

ISLAMABAD: Army will fully back and support the organisation of the second edition of Quaid-i-Azam Inter-provincial Games (December 25-29), taking all necessary measures for the security and safety of the athletes and spectators in coordination with civil authorities.

Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Mian Riaz Husain Pirzada confirmed that he was assured full cooperation and support by the highest authority in Army in an effort to make the event a success.

“I have been assured all the support and cooperation from the highest authorities in Army to make the Games a real success. I am grateful to forces for showing support for the Games,” he said. The government in coordination with the forces and civil administration has planned special measures to hold the second edition of the Quaid-i-Azam Games in safest possible manner.

A special meeting of the Steering Committee was held Friday in the Pakistan Sports Complex to finalise security plans and to make foolproof measures for sportspersons and spectators during and before the start of the Games.

The meeting that was chaired by Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination Mian Riaz Husain Pirzada decided to involve security forces in making foolproof arrangements.“It has been decided that the full cooperation would be sought from all security agencies in making the Games trouble free in all respect. Proper security measures would be in order before the start of the Games getting under way at the Pakistan Sports Complex from December 25,” Dr Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera, Director General Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) when approached said.  

He said that Minister IPC stressed upon the concerned that all possible measures should be adopted to keep crowd and sportsmen and women safe.It was decided that a special meeting would be held with the Chief Commissioner ICT as well as CCPO, Rawalpindi, Pakistan National Council of the Arts, PTV, Ministry of CADD and Capital Development Authority to finalize the exact security measures and other arrangements for the event.

Riaz Hussain Peerzada paid rich tributes to Army for the making the environment conducive to hold such big events. “The war against terrorism is bearing fruits as sports activities are being revived in the country.”

The Ministry of Planning and Ministry of Interior officials who were also present on the occasion vouched their full support and backing to hold the high profile Games in a befitting manner. 

The Director General, PSB Dr. M. Akhter Nawaz Ganjera informed the meeting that in line with the title, the Games have been attached with birthday of Quaid-e-Azam and it was considered more appropriate to start the Games from December 25 (Quaid’s birthday). “More than 3700 male and female players in 19 disciplines would participate in these Games.”

Secretary Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui suggested that the organization of the event should also be linked with the celebrations of 70th anniversary of Pakistan. “The basic objective of the project is to create environment conducive for promoting national harmony by engaging the youth in healthier activities. This will promote positive thinking, peace, nation building and festivity.”

He assured that the total amount of Rs.130.830 million would be released shortly to organize the event in a befitting manner.Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, (Secretary, Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform), Amjad Ali Khan, (Secretary, Ministry of IPC), Dr. M. Akhter Nawaz Ganjera (Director General, PSB), Waheed Zaman (Chief Sports, Ministry of Planning, Development & Reform), Muhammad Siddique (Joint Secretary Ministry of Interior) , Muhammad Ali (Director ICT), Ch. Ramzan Ali, DS (Admin) Ministry of CADD, and others attended the meeting. Muhammad Azam Dar, Director Establishment & Coordination/Games Coordinator PSB was also present during the meeting.