Historic Sports Update: PM Shehbaz Allocates Rs. 11 Billion for Pakistan's First South Asian Games in 22 Years

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has greenlit an allocation of Rs. 11 billion to fund Pakistan's preparations for hosting the 14th South Asian Games, which are set to take place in March 2027.

This upcoming event marks the return of the regional multi-sport tournament to Pakistani soil after a 22-year hiatus, standing out as one of the country's most significant international sports undertakings in recent decades. Work is scheduled to start immediately, with the approved capital directed toward renovating athletic venues, upgrading public infrastructure, modernizing transportation networks, and setting up a dedicated Games Secretariat in Islamabad to manage all planning and operational logistics.

The grand event is expected to draw more than 3,500 athletes representing eight South Asian countries. They will face off across 27 distinct sporting categories, with the matches distributed across three host cities: Lahore, Islamabad, and Faisalabad.

Administrative officials note that organizing the Games will put a positive spotlight on Pakistan's state-of-the-art sporting facilities, foster stronger cross-border ties through sports diplomacy, stimulate local tourism and commerce, and give promising homegrown athletes a premier international stage to test their skills against the region's elite competitors.