Heated exchanges mar NA Standing Committee meeting over PHF crisis
By Nawaz Gohar ; During a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination, a heated exchange broke out among members regarding the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) elections, scrutiny processes, and the Karachi Hockey Association (KHA) issue.
The meeting, chaired by Sheikh Aftab, was attended by DG Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Yasir Pirzada, PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid, and hockey legends Olympians Shahbaz Senior, Samiullah, and Shahnaz Sheikh. During the session, an intense argument erupted between Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan and Syeda Shehla Raza.
Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan alleged that a female MNA was representing a private company from Karachi, asserting that no MNA has the right to support or represent a private entity. He stated that the individuals banned by the Hockey Federation are stakeholders in this very company, describing the matter as a conflict between an association and a private firm.
He further noted that the Karachi Hockey Association was established under the Private Companies Act, suggesting they could form a separate federation under that law if they wished. He emphasized that the Standing Committee has given a clear mandate to the PHF and the Sports Board.
In response, Shehla Raza maintained that Tariq Bugti was authorized only to conduct federation elections but instead appointed himself President. She also alleged that “favorite” hockey clubs were being registered selectively.
Briefing the committee, the DG Pakistan Sports Board stated that the PHF has registered 1,100 clubs on its portal. During initial scrutiny, 19 districts were found to have only five clubs each, while not a single club in Islamabad met all the regulatory requirements. He assured that the Sports Board would conduct a fair scrutiny of the clubs.
The tension escalated when MNA Mehreen Razzaq Bhutto stated she did not wish to hear the PHF’s perspective. Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan reacted strongly, stating this was not a political party meeting and that anyone unwilling to listen to the Federation could leave, but he intended to hear them out.
Chairman Sheikh Aftab Ahmad intervened, remarking, “This is not a fish market; the dignity of the Standing Committee must be maintained.” PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid confirmed that the committee’s orders have been accepted and scrutiny of the clubs will be conducted alongside the Pakistan Sports Board.
He also shared that Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir would attend the closing ceremony of the Hockey Club Tournament. Committee member Aqeel Anjum Khan added that transparent and fair elections are the only solution to the crisis.
Ultimately, the Standing Committee formed a sub-committee to oversee PHF affairs, with Mehreen Bhutto appointed as Convener and Anjum Aqeel and Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan as members. A three-member sub-committee was also established to ensure transparent elections within the Pakistan Sports Board.
