
All set for Derajat Festival in DI Khan
The festival will showcase a blend of culture, sports, traditional music and recreational activities. The ceremony will feature a parade, cattle show, PT, fireworks, livestock march and a march-past.
The inauguration of DeraJat will also mark the commencement of the "Mela Espan" festival. According to the Sports Department, approximately 2,500 high-quality horses have been brought to Dera Ismail Khan for the Mela Espan.
On Friday, Provincial Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Syed Fakhar Jihan, along with MNA Faisal Amin Gandapur, City Mayor Dera Ismail Khan Umar Amin Gandapur and MPA Usman Betani, visited the Ratta Kulachi Sports Complex to review the arrangements.
The provincial minister and other parliamentarians inspected the arrangements for the opening ceremony at the stadium.
While speaking on the occasion, Fakhar Jihan expressed, "We invite sports enthusiasts from all over the country to participate in Dera Jat. This event is a step towards promoting our positive identity."
He further added, "DeraJat is an essential event that aims to preserve and promote our traditions, culture, and history."
The minister highlighted the provincial government's efforts to keep national and traditional sports, culture, and history alive.
On this occasion, Director General of Sports, Abdul Nasir Khan, Regional Sports Officer, Razi Ullah Betani, and other officials briefed the minister on the preparations and activities for the inaugural ceremony.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
11-08-2025
- Express Tribune
Donkey cart race marks freedom, resilience
Amid cheers and waving flags, participants steer their donkey carts through the bustling streets at Teen Talwar in a race marking Independence Day and Marka-e-Haq celebrations. PHOTO: PPI In a unique celebration of Pakistan's Independence Day and Maarka-e-Haq, the Sindh Government's Sports Department organised a donkey cart race from Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim, Clifton to Frere Hall. The event drew enthusiastic participation, with over 50 donkey carts competing in the spirited race. Nadeem clinched first place, followed by Rizwan in second and Khalid Ismail in third. The winners received cash prizes of Rs75,000, Rs50,000, and Rs25,000 respectively, along with trophies to honour their achievement. Besides the top three, everyone was a winner. All participants were also awarded cash prizes and commemorative trophies, adding to the festive atmosphere. The closing ceremony was held at Frere Hall, where Parliamentary Secretary Saima Agha served as the chief guest and distributed the prizes. Additional Secretary for Sports, Asad Ishaq, along with other officials, also attended the event. The donkey cart race, blending tradition with celebration, attracted attention from locals and passersby, turning the streets into a lively track of cheers and excitement.


Express Tribune
03-08-2025
- Express Tribune
Over 400 participate in 'Ma'arka-e-Haq' sports events
The sports events titled "Ma'arka-e-Haq" (Battle for Truth), organised by the government's Sports Department, concluded successfully. Over 400 athletes from Districts East and West participated in the events, demonstrating their love for the country and national unity on the occasion of the upcoming Independence Day. According to the spokesperson for the Sports Department, Imran Ali, in volleyball, District East secured the first position with a 2-0 victory, while District Central claimed second place. In boys' badminton, Muzammil Waseem and Ali Gulab retained first place, while Hussain and Hamza secured second position. Among the girls, Ajo and Sahba took the first position, while Rosheen and Huda retained second place. Further, the spokesperson stated that in the boxing competitions held in District West, matches took place in 22 weight categories for both girls and boys. In the girls' boxing finals, Jannat from One ABC Club triumphed in the 30 kg weight category, while Ayesha from KBC Club won in the 44 kg category. Meanwhile, District Sports Officer Muhammad Usman reported that, in men's boxing, Taimur from KBBC Club won the 51 kg category, while Farooq from the same club secured victory in the 70 kg category. Imran Ali also announced that 160 sports events are being organised across all districts of Sindh, under special directives of the Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, and Sindh Sports Minister, Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar, with the aim to promote patriotism, discipline, and healthy activities among the youth.


Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Business Recorder
Punjab sports-related initiatives highlighted
LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said the Punjab government aims to engage youth in positive activities through sports and sports-related initiatives and youth empowerment plans included in Punjab's Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2025–26. Speaking at a news conference here Thursday, Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar stated that a budget of Rs7.6 billion has been allocated for the Sports and Youth Affairs Department this year. He emphasized that the Punjab government's top priority is to provide opportunities to the youth and ensure the development of modern sports infrastructure. He informed the media that under last year's 'Khelta Punjab' programme, more than 120,000 athletes participated. This year, the initiative is being expanded further with talent hunt events being organized across districts, and significant work is already underway to rehabilitate and improve existing sports infrastructure. The Provincial Minister also shared that the first phase of the Chief Minister's Internship Programme has been successfully completed, benefiting 6,000 youth with a monthly stipend of Rs25,000. In Phase Two, the number of interns will be increased to 10,000, and the stipend will be raised to Rs60,000 per month. He further revealed that for the first time in the province's history, a Sports Endowment Fund has been established, under which athletes are being supported with funds of Rs30,000, Rs50,000, and Rs70,000. A Self-Sustaining System is also being introduced to address salary-related issues of sports department employees on a permanent basis, he added. He also highlighted that under the up-gradation of Punjab Stadium, Nishtar Park, Lahore, increasing seating capacity from 6,000 to 10,000. Scheme of Construction of a 102-room hotel/hostel at Nishtar Park Sports Complex at a cost of Rs800 million also approved. He also briefed about schemes of development of an Indoor Sports Arena for table tennis, snooker, board games, indoor rowing, revival of the International Boxing Arena, construction of a baseball ground in Lahore, rehabilitation and construction of Velodrome, Swimming Pool, Indoor Volleyball Complex, construction of Padel Tennis Courts in Lahore, Multan, and Sialkot while multipurpose Sports Facilities will be established along Rahim Yar Khan, Muridke, and Narowal Road. The Minister emphasized that the Punjab Government is working to revive traditional sports like Kabaddi, reconnecting the youth with cultural roots. He said that more projects will be included in the upcoming fiscal year and equal sports opportunities will be provided in every district of the province. Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar concluded by stating, 'Our goal is not just to build infrastructure but to ensure its sustainable and autonomous management.' Under the vision of the Chief Minister, every possible step is being taken to empower youth, promote sports, and prepare future champions. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025