National Assembly disclosures reveal persistent governance failures, doping scandals, and financial mismanagement across Pakistan’s sports federations. Despite new regulations and the 2025 National Sports Federations Tenure Rules, high profile figures including Mr. Sharjeel Butt, Mr. Syed Fakhar Ali Shah, and Mr. Muhammad Khalid Mehmood have faced suspensions, bans, and sanctions, highlighting ongoing challenges in enforcing transparency and accountability in national sports administration.
During a National Assembly question and answer session, Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination confirmed that governance issues continue to persist in certain National Sports Federations (NSFs), mainly due to limited institutional capacity and the shielding of officials under claims of autonomy and references to international bodies like the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has established a regulatory framework to combat these issues, including the Pakistan Code of Ethics and Governance in Sports, an independent adjudication mechanism, and the National Sports Federations (Tenure) Rules, 2025. These rules limit office bearers to a maximum of two four year tenures and impose a maximum age limit of 70 years. Enforcement has led to compliance by federations including Karate, Baseball, Taekwondo, Judo, Basketball, and Sailing.
Sanctions were imposed on weightlifters Mr. Sharjeel Butt, Mr. Abdul Rehman, Mr. Ghulam Mustafa, and Mr. Farhan Majeed. Additionally, former President Mr. Hafiz Imran Butt and coaches Mr. Irfan Butt and Mr. Waqas Akbar have been suspended due to related misconduct.
Mr. Syed Fakhar Ali Shah, President of the Pakistan Federation Baseball, was banned for willfully violating the PSB Constitution after failing to obtain the mandatory NOC, demonstrating the board’s zero tolerance stance on procedural breaches.
Significant lapses were identified in the Pakistan Netball Federation. Former President Mr. Mudasar Razak Arain, Secretary General Mr. Syed Gohar Raza, Associate Secretary Ms. Qurat ul Ain, Associate Secretary Mr. Tanveer Ahmed, Associate Secretary Mr. Muhammad Riaz, Treasurer Mr. Sohail Ahmad, and Treasurer of Pakistan Federation Baseball Mr. Syed Ali Shah were all implicated for failing to submit the required grant adjustments.
At the Commonwealth Games 2022 in the UK, the disappearance of two boxers led to the banning of Mr. Muhammad Khalid Mehmood, then President of the Pakistan Boxing Federation, and Lt. Col. (R) Nasir Ijaz Tung, then Secretary General. The ban has been temporarily suspended following a legal challenge in the Islamabad High Court.
Minister Naqvi emphasized that the PSB continues to enforce governance standards and accountability measures through monitoring, corrective directives, and adjudication on a case by case basis. The actions reflect a commitment to transparency and the adoption of international best practices, although experts argue persistent challenges indicate deeper structural and administrative weaknesses in Pakistan’s sports federations.
