KARACHI: Pakistan Sports Board has shown concerns over the organization of some events in the National Games by or in coordination with bodies or individuals not recognised by the board.
In a letter to Secretary Sports Sindh, the PSB highlighted that the body responsible for conducting the weightlifting event in the National Games (Jabran Bin Salman — earlier headed by Hafiz Salman Butt) stands suspended by PSB as well as not recognized by International Federation on doping-related violations.
“PSB has already constituted an Interim Committee headed by Brig. (R) Zahid lqbal and Col. (R) Dr. Hafiz Zafar lqbal, which is the only competent body authorized to manage weightlifting activities in Pakistan,” stated the letter.
Similarly, the board mentioned, Fakhar Shah of Baseball has been banned by the PSB due to continuous violations. His reported involvement in organizing the baseball event may compromise the integrity of the Games.
“The PSB Election Commission conducted elections of the Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation on 20 June 2025, resulting in the election of Tariq Hassan (President) and Sohail Anwar (Secretary General). This is the legitimate and duly recognised federation.
“However, the bodybuilding event is being organised by an illegal and unrecognized body led by Tariq Pervez,” stated PSB. Moreover, the board stated, the athletics event is reportedly being conducted through a separate committee. Such parallel structures are contrary to established national and international practices.
“In light of the above, it is requested that the matter may kindly be reviewed so that only the legitimate, recognised, and authorised bodies/officials are engaged in organising their respective events,” said the PSB.
Meanwhile, Chairman Interim Committee on Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWLF) Zahid Iqbal expressed his dismay over the organization of weightlifting events by “unqualified officials and irrelevant” persons of suspended PWLF despite serious observations by PSB and requests by the Interim Committee. In a letter to Secretary Sports Sindh and Secretary Organising Committee (OC) of the 35th National Games, he stated that most of the officials detailed by the suspended PWLF to supervise the event are “biased, incompetent, and irrelevant” persons.
“They lack the requisite expertise to conduct the national event,” said Zahid Iqbal. In the given circumstances, he added, the sanctity of the whole event will be compromised at the hands of the prejudiced, incompetent and compromised referees.
“It is reiterated that independent, highly qualified and experienced TOs with international Category 1 & 2 Referee Cards may be appointed to conduct the subject event, failing which we may invoke jurisdiction of competent authority/court to stay the event or appoint independent TOs,” stated Zahid.
