ISLAMABAD: Citing serious irregularities and anti-doping code violations, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) on Thursday formed a three-member interim committee to run the affairs of the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWF).

According to a notification issued by the PSB in this regard, the interim committee is headed by retired Brig Zahid Iqbal and comprises retired Col Hafiz Dr Zafar Iqbal and Nuzhat Jabeen.

“The Pakistan Sports Board in its 25th meeting held on July 6 had suspended the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation headed by one Hafiz Imran Butt following a report from a delegate [appointed by the PSB on the directions of Honourable Lahore High Court] citing serious irregularities in the federation’s functioning, corrupt practices and violations of the anti-doping code. Consequently, the following interim committee was constituted to run the affairs of the PWF: retired Brig Zahid Iqbal, retired Col Hafiz Dr Zafar Iqbal and Ms Nuzhat Jabeen,” read the notification issued on Thursday.

“The notification is now being issued for the information and compliance of provincial sports boards and relevant government departments responsible for sports. These entities are hereby requested not to correspondent with or extend cooperation, inclu­ding but not limited to the financial grants, provision of sports facilities, provision of players, holding or sponsoring of any games, tournaments or other sporting events, with suspended Pakistan Weigh­tlifting Federa­tion,” the PSB notification added.

The PSB requested all the entities to extend facilitation to the aforementioned interim committee constituted by it for managing the weightlifting affairs.

The PSB shared copies of the notification with relevant authorities of all the provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad and all departments. While a copy of the same was also shared with the general secretary of the Inter­national Weightlifting Federation Antonio Urso.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2024