PSB Issues Charge Sheet to PHF President Over Governance and Financial Irregularities

The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has finally taken notice of the plight of Pakistan hockey, pointing the finger at its governing body, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), for its current state.

The PSB has formally served a charge sheet to PHF President Mir Tariq Hussain Bugti, raising serious concerns over alleged governance failures, financial irregularities, and violation of the federation’s mandate, and has demanded immediate answers.

In a detailed letter dated August 11, the PSB accused Bugti of persistent non-compliance with the terms of his appointment, which was made on an ad-hoc basis in December 2023 by the Prime Minister, the Patron-in-Chief of the PHF.

The board noted that the PHF President’s primary responsibility was to conduct free and fair elections—a task that remains unfulfilled more than a year and a half into his tenure, while he continues to enjoy perks of the job to which he is not entitled.

The more worrying news for the PSB is the financial irregularities in PHF’s accounts during its incumbent President’s run.

The PSB claims that despite releasing over Rs. 119 million to the PHF for operations, including travel and logistics, the federation has not submitted certified bank statements for its operational accounts. The only audit report for FY 2023–24 was found to contradict PHF’s own claims, with funds allegedly used for inadmissible administrative expenses while players continue to await unpaid daily allowances.

The letter also cites an inquiry into an unauthorized bank account held in Sindh Bank, first flagged in January 2025, for which the PHF has allegedly taken no action despite repeated reminders by the PSB.

A new PHF office in Islamabad and the alleged perks and benefits outside the norms of public sector funding rules for the PHF office bearers have also been called out by the PSB.

The sports board is now demanding written explanations within seven days on seven specific points, including:

1. The failure to hold PHF elections.
2. Inaction on the inquiry report into the unauthorized bank account.
3. Non-submission of bank statements for all PHF accounts.
4. Details of foreign tours by top officials, including funding sources.
5. Clarification on the Islamabad office expenses.
6. Full disclosure of all PHF income, including rental earnings.
7. Justification for unauthorized perks and administrative spending.

The PSB has warned that if Bugti fails to respond within the stipulated timeframe, the matter will be referred directly to the Prime Minister, who serves as the federation’s Patron-in-Chief, for further action.

As the clock ticks on the PSB’s ultimatum, the future of Pakistan hockey hangs in the balance. Whether this latest intervention will spark genuine reform or become another chapter in the sport’s troubled history remains to be seen. For now, players and fans alike can only hope that accountability and transparency will finally return to the heart of Pakistan’s national game.