KARACHI: Pakistani weightlifters have lost their right to participate in any international event including upcoming Asian Games due to the non-payment of the fine of thousands of USDs by Pakistan Weightlifting Federation, its top players, president, vice president, and coach.
The fine was imposed by International Weightlifting Federation and Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration on Sports on account of systemic ADRVs by PWLF, its officials, and top athletes during 2021 and beyond.
Chairman Interim Committee on PWLF Zahid Iqbal in a letter to President/Secretary Pakistan Olympics Association, Director General Pakistan Sports Board, and Secretary IPC has requested for the recovery of fine from the suspended PWLF, delinquent weightlifters, and former officials.
“The PWLF, athletes, and officials will remain suspended until they pay the IWF the outstanding fine of more than $30,000 on account of ADRVs while PSB should advise FIA to include their names in the Exit Control List so that they do not flee from Pakistan without discharging their personal and collective international liabilities,” said Zahid.
He added that the Interim Committee on PWLF, constituted by PSB in August 2022 to run the affairs of weightlifting in Pakistan, is not in knowledge of the exact details/breakup of the fine, except that a fine of $5,000 was imposed on each Talha Talib and Abu Bakar Ghani for ADRVs in 2021, which has now accumulated to more than $30,000 due to non-payment by suspended PWLF/delinquent weightlifters.
“On the other hand, the PWLF suspended by PSB in 2022 and by IWF in 2025 is still affiliated and recognised by POA while its former President (banned for life by IWF/CAS ADD in April 2026) is still an office bearer of POA,” said Zahid, adding that the POA is well aware of the details of the fine (exact amount/breakup), and reasons for its non-payment till to date.
“This has resulted into [a kind of] protection of doping mafia, denial of right to play to clean weightlifters with their coaches from participation in any international event including the 20th Asian Games in Japan this year, as well as loss of national integrity,” said Zahid.
The Chairman IC has asked the POA to immediately recover the amount of fine from Hafiz Imran, his son Irfan Butt, Talha Talib, Abu Bakar Ghani, and members of the Executive Committees of the suspended PWLF from 2021 till to date and make payments to IWF so as to avoid further increase/accumulation of the fine.
Also, he added, the POA and PSB should ensure that no player or official of suspended PWLF, including but not limited to Talha Talib (who is one of the causes of fine and in debt of fine) gets accreditation for any international event until they pay their part of the fine.
“PSB should also approach the IWF for provisional recognition of the Interim Committee constituted by it, so that rights of clean weightlifters are protected and they can represent Pakistan in the coming international events.
“President POA is also requested to resolve the issue in the larger national interest, divesting all biases against the Interim Committee and in favor of the suspended PWLF and delinquent players/officials,” concluded Zahid.
