Islamabad, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will host 28 sports as more than 6,000 athletes and officials are expected to participate.
Pakistan will host the 14th South Asian Games next year, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar announcing the dates after a meeting of the steering committee overseeing preparations for the regional sporting event.
The South Asian Games are scheduled to take place from April 4 to 11, with competitions planned across Islamabad, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The event is expected to bring together more than 6,000 athletes and officials from across the region.
The dates were finalised during a steering committee meeting chaired by Ishaq Dar in coordination with the South Asian Olympic Committee (SAOC). The government also approved the appointment of a national coordinator and finalised the structure of steering, organising and provincial committees responsible for managing the event.
A total of 28 sports will feature in the 14th edition of the South Asian Games. Authorities are expected to use sporting venues in Islamabad as well as selected facilities in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to accommodate the competitions.
Pakistan’s hosting rights were retained earlier this year by the SAOC. The decision was taken during a meeting held on the sidelines of the 46th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in January 2026.
During the meeting, Dar instructed federal and provincial authorities to maintain close coordination and accelerate preparations for the Games. He emphasised that sports venues and other necessary facilities should be completed within the required timelines.
The deputy prime minister also stressed the importance of maintaining high standards throughout the preparations to ensure Pakistan successfully hosts the regional competition.
To strengthen oversight, Dar directed the steering committee to meet every month and regularly review progress. The committee will also identify and resolve any administrative or logistical challenges that could affect preparations.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Tariq Bajwa, the Prime Minister’s adviser on inter-provincial coordination, representatives of provincial governments and senior federal and provincial officials.