Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says the government has made sports a central pillar of its development agenda as sports are an effective tool for national development, youth empowerment and highlighting Pakistan's identity on the global stage.

In his message on the occasion of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, being observed today, the Prime Minister said Pakistan's national sports policy focuses on promoting grassroots inclusion, talent discovery, gender equality, and inclusivity.

He said through initiatives like the Arshad Nadeem High Performance Academy, young athletes are being prepared for future challenges through scientific training, financial support, and the provision of modern facilities.