–Finance minister says Planning Ministry had recommended the project, that will be constructed just a short distance away from border with India

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Miftah Ismail on Saturday said that the Planning Ministry had recommended National Sports City project in Narowal, for which a huge allocation of funds was made in the newly announced budget.

Speaking at a press conference to alleviate concerns about the budget, Miftah pinned the responsibility of justifying the expenses for the project in Narowal to the Ministry of Planning and Development.

Indicating that the project was included in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) on strong recommendation of Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal – whose constituency is Narowal – Miftah was questioned over the rationale of allocating a huge amount Rs467.10 million for just a single project, whereas Rs659.3 million was allocated for other sports projects in the new budget.

The minister and other officials remained tight-lipped when inquired that how a project, being completed at a total cost of Rs2.9 billion just a short distance away from the border with India, was approved by the planning ministry.

Sources said that the project received a major share in allocations in the previous years too and it is expected to be completed by December 2018.

Infrastructure development for the youth has been accorded a high priority in the proposed 2018-19 federal sports budget, envisaging five new development schemes including the construction of 100 stadiums/arenas at a cost of Rs1 billion, to be shared equally with provinces.