LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar chaired a high-level meeting on Wednesday, to review plans for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Maryam Nawaz Sharif Sports City, a landmark project aimed at transforming the province’s sports, entertainment and tourism landscape.
During the meeting held at the National Hockey Stadium, the officials from the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) presented a comprehensive briefing on the proposed Maryam Nawaz Sharif Sports City project, outlining its key features and development plans. Detailed presentations were also given on the outdoor and indoor sports facilities that will be incorporated into the mega project.
The meeting was attended by Sports Board Punjab Vice Chairman Salman Malik, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Fazlur Rehman, Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi, Director Admin Abid Shaukat, and other senior officials.
Addressing the participants, Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar directed NESPAK officials to ensure comprehensive planning and swift execution of the project. He described the Maryam Nawaz Sharif Sports City initiative as a major milestone that would open a new chapter in the promotion of sports, entertainment and tourism in Punjab.
He emphasized that the Maryam Nawaz Sharif Sports City should be developed according to international standards and equipped with modern amenities to meet the needs of future generations. He noted that a variety of entertainment facilities would be included to provide recreational opportunities for children and families.
Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar also instructed planners to incorporate an underground parking system to maximize space and improve accessibility. He reiterated the government’s vision of developing Maryam Nawaz Sharif Sports City into a world-class sports and entertainment hub.
Highlighting the project’s athlete-focused infrastructure, Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar directed the officials concerned to construct a modern hostel with accommodation capacity for up to 5,000 players. He further stressed the importance of sustainability, directing officials to promote green energy solutions through the installation of solar panels.
He said the Maryam Nawaz Sharif Sports City will also feature landscaped walking areas for families, while a most advanced jogging track is expected to become one of the project’s flagship attractions. “Besides this modern entertainment facilities, including Joyland, are also planned.”
He added that this project will house modern multi-purpose venues for a wide range of indoor and outdoor sports, including football, hockey, cricket, athletics, basketball, volleyball, badminton and squash, making it one of the most comprehensive sports complexes in the country.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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