PSB Adjudicator upholds PTF elections, dismisses appeal
Islamabad: By Nawaz Gohar ; Pakistan’s former tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi will continue as President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) after the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Adjudicator dismissed a petition challenging the federation’s elections, declaring it non-maintainable, time-barred, and beyond jurisdiction.
In a detailed order, PSB Adjudicator Senator Pervaiz Rashid rejected the petition filed by former Davis Cup captain Hameed-ul-Haq, citing lack of jurisdiction, limitation, and locus standi. The elections, held on February 10, 2024, preceded the Sports Election Regulations (SERP) 2024, and were therefore not subject to Regulation 9(3), the order noted.
The Adjudicator ruled that no challenge was filed within the prescribed statutory period and that the elections had already attained finality, making them legally irreversible. Allegations regarding electoral irregularities, including objections to the vote of the International Lawn Tennis Club Pakistan (ILTCP), were also dismissed.
During proceedings, Qureshi confirmed that his election has been formally recognized by the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF). He also informed the Adjudicator that he has been nominated to the PSB Board and that the PTF continues to receive PSB grants—demonstrating official acceptance of the elections at national and international levels.
The order further relied on an Islamabad High Court judgment (June 18, 2025), which held that individuals who are neither contesting candidates nor aggrieved parties lack legal standing to challenge sports federation elections. Consequently, the petition was dismissed in its entirety.
