A shortage of usable sports grounds in Rawalpindi has pushed children and young people onto cemeteries, open plots, narrow streets and busy roads to play cricket and other games, raising safety and social concerns.
Zahir Ahmad Awan, chairman of the Citizen Action Committee, visited Dhok Khaba cemetery after receiving public complaints and spoke to the media about the deteriorating situation. He said many government sports grounds inside the city are either locked or handed over for commercial use, leaving ordinary and lower‑income families with no safe place for their children to play.
Awan stressed that the rising cost of private grounds and training centres places a heavy burden on families, so youth unable to pay fees are forced to play in unsafe locations where serious accidents could occur at any time. He warned that the absence of accessible sports grounds is depriving the younger generation of positive outlets and contributing to wider social problems.
He emphasised that sports are essential not only for physical health but also for keeping youth away from negative influences, and urged the government to assume responsibility for providing safe recreational spaces. Awan demanded that all inner‑city government sports grounds be opened to the public without commercial charges, that fees on these facilities be abolished, and that a regular maintenance system be established.
Calling for concrete steps, he asked the Chief Minister of Punjab to take immediate notice, ensure the construction of new playgrounds across the city and guarantee that every child and young person has safe, free access to sports grounds and organised activities.
