The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has directed the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) to hold fresh elections. The move follows a complaint alleging senior officials were appointed without proper elections. PSB emphasized that the new elections must be transparent and lawful.
Tariq Sidhu, president of the National Association of Athletics Technical Officials, claimed constitutional violations during AFP’s general council meeting on December 31, 2024. He said appointments of Wajahat Hussain Sahi, Shahida Khanum, and Humaira Mehmood Khan violated AFP’s constitution. Sidhu noted mandatory procedures like issuing notices and circulating minutes were ignored.
Read more: PSB quashes lifetime ban on Arshad Nadeem’s coach
The petition also highlighted breaches of Rule 17 of the Pakistan Sports Board 2022 Constitution and the Pakistan Code of Ethics in Sports. PSB Adjudicator Senator Pervaiz Rashid reviewed the matter and ordered immediate fresh elections for the three positions. Current AFP office bearers are restricted from major administrative, financial, or policy decisions.
AFP must also submit certified copies of its constitution and electoral college within three days. Meanwhile, routine day-to-day functions can continue to prevent administrative disruption. The decision comes after AFP imposed a lifetime ban on coach Salman Butt over illegal elections by the Punjab Athletics Association.
Read more: PSB enforces sports funding regulations 2025
Rashid clarified that AFP cannot annul provincial elections unilaterally. Election supervision lies with provincial authorities, not the federation. Observers say the PSB order reinforces transparency and proper governance in Pakistani athletics.