- Pakistan Army bag 353 medals in total to secure the top.
- Wapda finished second with 85 gold medals in National Games.
- Bilawal presents Field Marshal Munir, a Sindhi cap and ajrak.
The Pakistan Army secured the top spot in the medal table of the 35th National Games on Saturday, showing strong performances in both individual and team events.
The 35th National Games concluded with a closing ceremony in Karachi, with the Pakistan Army emerging as the largest medal-winning corps.
Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Marshal Asim Munir attended as the chief guest, along with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
According to the final medal tally shared by the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), the Pakistan Army reigned supreme with a total of 353 medals, including 200 gold, 97 silver and 56 bronze medals.
Water and Power Development Authority (Wapds) finished second with 85 gold, 73 silver and 74 bronze medals, while Pakistan Navy remained third with 36 top honours, 39 silver and 35 bronze.
Punjab was the most successful province at the games, ending the week-long event with 16 gold medals, followed by Sindh with 11, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with five, while Balochistan could claim four.
The capital Islamabad finished 11th with two gold medals, five silver and 11 bronze.
Azad and Jammu Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit Baltistan remained the only participating teams that failed to win a single medal and managed only seven bronzes, thus finishing in the bottom two positions of the standings.
On the occasion, Bilawal presented CDF Marshal Munir with a Sindhi cap and ajrak.
Speaking at the ceremony, Bilawal emphasized the wider significance of the National Games, saying, “These National Games were not just a contest of speed, strength or skill; they were a celebration of Pakistan itself.
“From Gilgit Baltistan to Gwadar, from Khyber to Karachi, from Lahore to Larkana, every athlete who competed here wore the colors of their province but stood united under one flag,” he added.
He expressed pride that Sindh hosted the prestigious sporting event.
“To our athletes, you are the pride of Pakistan. Whether you return home with medals or memories, you return as ambassadors, ambassadors of discipline, perseverance and national unity.
“You have shown us what the youth of Pakistan can achieve when given the opportunity and encouragement,” Bilawal noted.
He highlighted the values that sport instills, saying: “Sports teach us teamwork, courage, respect for rules and resilience in the face of challenge. These are not just sporting values, they are national values.”
Reflecting on the May conflict with India, the PPP chairman praised the performance of the armed forces, stating that the army, air force and navy displayed professionalism, coordination and strength.
“Pakistan emerged victorious by defending its sovereignty and its honour. This victory was not just a military victory, it was a national victory. It reflected the unity of our people, the discipline of our forces and the unbreakable bond between the nation and those who guard it,” he said.
He concluded by wishing that the spirit of the Games would have a lasting impact: “As these National Games conclude, may the friendships forged here endure, the lessons learned here guide us and the unity displayed here continue to define our federation.”
The 35th National Games featured 14 teams, comprising divisions and provinces, including hosts Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, along with Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Wapda, Pakistan Police and Higher Education Commission (ECH).
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