ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Governing Board has dismissed the appeal of the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) against the lifting of a life ban imposed on Salman Butt, terming the punishment unconstitutional and beyond the federation’s authority.
The decision was taken during the Board’s meeting held last week and formally detailed in a comprehensive judgment issued by Director General PSB, Yasir Peerzada, following the Board’s approval.
According to the ruling, the PSB found that the AFP had acted outside its constitutional limits in imposing a lifetime ban on Salman Butt. The judgment categorically stated that no provision within the federation’s constitution empowers its council to hand down such a penalty, rendering the decision legally invalid.
In another key development, the Governing Board upheld the legitimacy of the Punjab Athletics Association elections, rejecting AFP’s objections. The Board observed that the electoral process was conducted transparently, with due approval from all stakeholders, and under the supervision of designated observers in accordance with prescribed rules.
Furthermore, the PSB set aside an earlier decision by its adjudicator, which had declared the elections of AFP officials null and void. The Board reaffirmed that the federation’s office-bearers were elected through a lawful and procedurally sound process.
The ruling effectively settles multiple disputes within the athletics fraternity, reinforcing the PSB’s stance on adherence to constitutional governance and due process in sports administration.
The detailed judgment, covering all aspects of the cases, has been released for public record. On the Salman Butt ban, the Board observed that the impugned adjudicator’s order declared that the lifetime ban imposed by the AFP vide notification dated 12.10.2025 was ultra vires, unconstitutional, and restored the professional rights of Salman Iqbal Butt.
The Board observed that AFP’s principal objection of the Appellant was that the Adjudicator lacked jurisdiction due to the arbitration clause (Article 16) contained in the AFP Constitution. The Board carefully considered this objection and finds as follows:
Article 23 of the PSB Constitution, 2022, expressly vests jurisdiction in the Adjudicator to hear disputes concerning the working, functioning, or performance of any national sports federation affiliated with PSB.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan (2012 SCMR 992) has unequivocally held that federations affiliated with PSB are subject to PSB’s regulatory control and lawful directives. The Board holds that a federation’s internal arbitration clause cannot override the constitutional jurisdiction of PSB and its Adjudicator. Accordingly, the jurisdictional objection raised by the Appellant is untenable and rejected.
The Board examined the AFP Constitution and noted with concern that: There is no explicit provision authorizing the imposition of a lifetime ban upon an individual office bearer or coach.
Reliance by AFP on a residual clause permitting “any other sanction” does not justify a penalty of such extreme and permanent nature, especially in the absence of clear parameters. Imposition of a lifetime ban, without express authorization, raises serious concerns of proportionality, arbitrariness, and selective application.
The Board also noted that although the alleged violations related to the Punjab Athletics Association, only two individuals were penalized, while the Association itself and other participants remained unaffected.
