Pakistan, April 7 -- Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday promised to promote merit in the selection of athletes and institutional discipline across the country's sports federations, state-run media said, as the world marked the International Day of Sport and Development for Peace (IDSDP).

The IDSDP is annually celebrated on Apr. 6 to recognize the power of sport in fostering positive change, bridging barriers, and transcending boundaries.

This year, the IDSDP will focus on the theme of 'Social Inclusion,' which aims to challenge stereotypes, promote equal opportunities and enable inclusive sport for all.

"The government is introducing reforms to ensure transparency, accountability and professionalism in national sports f...