Interim Weightlifting Committee Takes Action: Demands Protection for Athletes,
Cancellation of Illegal Notices, Fine Recovery, and Ban on Doping Faction
Interim Weightlifting Committee Takes Action: Demands Protection for Athletes,
Cancellation of Illegal Notices, Fine Recovery, and Ban on Doping Faction
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE : In a major step to safeguard clean athletes, Brigadier Zahid Iqbal (Retd), Chairman of the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation’s Interim Committee, has officially written to the Pakistan Sports Board,
the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, and the Pakistan Olympic Association, with copies dispatched to the International Weightlifting Federation and other global bodies.
The letter presents key demands, including the immediate nullification of show-cause notices issued by the suspended federation, recovery of a USD 30,000 international fine from officials involved in doping violations, a complete ban on corrupt elements, and seeking provisional recognition from the international federation to facilitate the upcoming March 2027 South Asian Games.
According to the communication, the self-proclaimed president of the suspended faction, Jabran Bin Salman, unlawfully issued show-cause notices to the Higher Education Commission and over 60 national weightlifters for competing in the PSB-approved National Championship held in Lahore from July 10–15, 2026.
Top record holders Furqan Ahmad and Sahar Waien were also targeted in this retaliatory move. The Interim Committee emphasized that the suspended body is once again attempting to ruin young careers, echoing past unfair actions against Commonwealth Games champions Nooh Dastagir Butt and Shuja ud Din Malik.
The letter commended the Higher Education Commission for upholding government anti-doping policies despite threats. Finally, the Interim Committee urged the Pakistan Sports Board to formally ban suspended individuals including Hafiz Imran, Irfan Butt, Talha Talib, Abu Bakar Ghani, and Jabran Bin Salman and recover the USD 30,000 penalty from them to reimburse the international federation and secure the future of clean weightlifters.
