The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has issued a formal statement to declare the unauthorized elections conducted by a group of individuals, led by Hafiz Imran Butt, for the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWF) on 1st February 2025 at the Olympic House in Lahore, as illegal and in violation of PSB instructions and order of the Islamabad High Court. The PSB emphasizes that these elections and the body created by such fake elections carry no legal standing and were conducted despite the suspension of the PWF due to ongoing doping charges, a decision that was officially notified to all concerned parties.
The PSB also pointed out that the elections were held without the involvement of the Election Commission, which was duly appointed by the PSB. This action directly violates the orders of the Honourable Islamabad High Court in Writ Petition No. 2524/2022, which explicitly directed that no elections should take place until the Election Commission’s notification is issued by the PSB.
In light of this, the PSB confirms that government departments did not participate in the elections upon its request. As many weightlifters are employed by these departments, their absence further undermines the legitimacy of these elections. The PSB calls on all government departments to refrain from collaborating with the unauthorized group led by Hafiz Imran Butt, which falsely claims to represent the PWF.
The PSB has urged government departments to take disciplinary action against any of their employees found to be involved in activities, events, or elections organized by this group, in accordance with the respective departmental rules and regulations.
The Pakistan Sports Board reiterates the importance of maintaining integrity in the governance of sports in Pakistan and seeks the cooperation of all concerned parties to uphold these standards.
