Islamabad, September 10, 2021 (PPI-OT):The National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) met today at 11:00 AM in Committee Room No. 7, Parliament House, Islamabad under the Chairmanship of Mr. Nawab Sher, MNA.

The meeting started with the recitation from the Holy Quran. Chairman Standing Committee welcomed the Minister for IPC, Members of the Committee and other Participants. After Confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting and report on implementation status the Committee proceeded to agenda item No. 3 to discuss the prevention of Offences in Sports Bill, 2020 (moved by Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan, MNA).

The representative of the Ministry of Law and Justice briefed the Committee regarding the said Bill. The Committee recommended that the Ministry of Law and Justice must present comprehensive report on the said Bill in the next meeting of the Standing Committee.

While proceeding on agenda item No. 4 “To discuss the question No. 145 moved in the House on 7th February, 2020 moved by Dr. Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto, MNA. The Committee deferred the matter due to non-presence of the mover.

While considering the agenda item No. 5 regarding briefing by Pakistan Hockey Federation the Committee showed its great concern on downfall of hockey and enquired that how could possible the revival of hockey in future.

The Secretary General of Pakistan Hockey Federation informed the Committee that we have out dated structure and whenever we do not update our structure and adopt the international system we will remain back. He further informed the Committee that our neighbouring countries spending too much money on hockey while we have too much shortage of budget. He apprised the Committee that in 2012-13 Pakistan was on No. 5 while India was on No. 11 in international hockey.

He informed the Committee about Government grant, Special grant and other sources of budget. He informed the Committee that in previous three years we played only 4 international matches. He further informed the Committee that we should play 30 to 35 international matches annually to boost up the hockey.

He said that hockey culture maybe promoted at school level. He assured the Committee, if the hockey may be provided funding just like cricket we will give you better results. He suggested that there should be a school of excellence for hockey in every Province and by selection from the Provinces sportsmen may be selected for national school of excellence.

The Chairman enquired about the audit of Hockey Federation, the Committee was informed that we go through three types of audits, internal, external and Governmental every year. The Chairman enquired about foreign funding for Hockey Federation, the representative of Hockey Federation replied that we don’t receive any foreign funding hence we pay 10,000 Dollar affiliation fee to International Hockey Federation.

The Secretary, IPC informed the Committee that we are perusing Provinces to focus on Football, Hockey, Kabadi and Volleyball at the school level. Furthermore, he advised Hockey Federation to make request to the Ministry for Coach and we will help out you for hiring International Coach. He apprised the Committee that new sports policy will be presented before the Federal Cabinet within a month in which model guidelines for Sports Federations, Elections will be incorporated.

D.G, Pakistan Sports Board informed the Committee that after 31 years, renovation of the stadium is under process. He further informed that we are bringing long term policy over and above the politics we should change our priorities. He further informed that there are 41 Federations of Sports.

He apprised the Committee that they are preparing for Asian Games which will be held in the month of September. The Chairman Standing Committee showed displeasure on the negative remarks by Rasheed Ul Hassan, Ex-Hockey Olympian regarding Prime Minister of Pakistan and demanded for an appropriate action against him.

The Committee showed its great concern and displeasure on poor performance of President Pakistan Olympic Association and the General Secretary, Pakistan Olympic Association continuously holding the position from the last 17 years.

The Minister IPC informed the Committee that last Sports policy was made in 2005 and after that we are bringing new sports policy to regulate, accountability, infrastructure, Elections of the Federations, players registration etc. The Chairman Standing Committee suggested for funding of Rs. 1 Billion to Hockey for its betterment.

While discussing agenda item No. 6 the representative of the Pakistan Gymnastic Federation informed the Committee that 2 to 3 thousand children are doing gymnastic at the present. He briefed the Committee regarding the Gymnastic Federation in detail.

While discussing agenda item No. 7 regarding Pakistan Olympic Association, the Committee enquired about not attending the meeting by the President of Pakistan Olympic Association and showed its displeasure.

The Committee was informed by the Secretary General of Pakistan Olympic Association that due to visit abroad he could not attend the meeting and in the next meeting of the Committee he will be able to attend the meeting. He further informed that Committee that their total annual budget is Rs. 50 Million and they go through audit by Chartered Accountant regularly.

The meeting was attended by MNAs: Mr. Khurram Shahzad, Mr. Mehboob Shah, Mr. Gul Dad Khan, Mr. Gul Zafar Khan, Haji Imtiaz Ahmed Chaudhary, Ms. Robina Jamil, Mst. Shaheen Naz Saifullah, Mr. Fakhar Zaman, Mr. Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, Ch. Zulfiqar Ali Bhinder, Mr. Muhammad Afzal Khohar, Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Behan, Ms. Nasiba Channa, and Syed Faiz ul Hassan and Officers/Officials of the Ministry and its attached Departments.

For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk