Summary Atta Tarar pledges govt support for sports journalists, seeks proposals for welfare and development, says promoting sports journalism is vital for encouraging youth and healthy competition.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Thursday pledged government support for the welfare of sports journalists and invited the community to submit recommendations for the promotion of sports journalism.
Addressing a ceremony held to mark World Sports Journalists Day 2026, the minister said sports occupied a special place in his life and described sports journalism as an essential pillar in promoting healthy competition, sportsmanship and positivity in society.
He said the contribution of sports to society could not be realised without sports journalists covering events and presenting them to the public in an effective manner.
Atta Tarar said recognition of sports journalists was important to encourage young people to enter a profession that demanded extensive field reporting, sustained hard work, and close monitoring of sporting activities.
Referring to the conferment of the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz on a senior sports journalist Mohi Shah during his tenure, he said the honour belonged not only to the recipient but to the entire fraternity of sports journalists in Pakistan for their efforts in creating an environment conducive to sports.
The minister asked the sports journalists’ community to constitute a committee and present proposals on the welfare of sports journalists, their professional development, and measures to promote sports journalism.
“We will do whatever is possible at the government level,” he said, adding that he personally considered the promotion of sports journalism to be of great importance.
Atta Tarar also said PTV Sports was Pakistan’s only television channel broadcasting the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, adding that the government had ensured its telecast across the country to encourage young people and promote healthy competition.
Thanking the organisers for inviting him, the minister assured the gathering that he would make every effort to act on the recommendations submitted by sports journalists and said they would always find him supportive of initiatives aimed at promoting sports journalism.
Later, Atta Tarar administered the oath to the newly elected body of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Sports Journalists Association (RISJA) and cut a cake to mark World Sports Journalists Day 2026.
