ISLAMABAD, july26: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) returned Rs380 million to the Finance Division for the 2023–24 fiscal year on account of mismanagement and possible political influence, which is another major blow to the country’s sports industry. Funds that were not spent were a result of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) and PSB’s chaotic activities, according to sources.
When the spending was not approved by the newly appointed Yasir Peerzada or temporary PSB Director General Ch Zahoor in June, a standoff resulted. After taking office on June 22, Peerzada declined to remove the backlog, claiming that prior administrators had already used it. In the meanwhile, the sum was returned since Zahoor quit his job early without giving his permission to sign the required paperwork.
Programs for athlete development and sports infrastructure have been negatively damaged by financial mismanagement. An IPC ministry official said, “You are sending a bad message to the Finance Division if you surrender a heavy amount of Rs 380 million.”
The nation’s sports federations, who depend on these monies for both operational and developmental needs, have also suffered.
