Sports governing bodies in Pakistan have a habit of shooting themselves in the foot, and the latest example came over the weekend when the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) imposed a lifetime ban on Salman Iqbal Butt, the coach who guided Arshad Nadeem to the country’s only athletics Olympic gold medal.
In a statement issued after its Executive Committee meeting held on October 10, the AFP accused Salman Butt of “gross violations” of the federation’s constitution during the Punjab Athletics Association elections, barring him for life from all athletics-related activities, including coaching, officiating, or holding any administrative role at national or international levels.
The decision comes just days after reports of friction between AFP and Salman Butt following Arshad Nadeem’s disappointing 10th-place finish at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
However, according to the federation, the disciplinary move is part of broader efforts to uphold “transparency, constitutional compliance, and organizational integrity” within Pakistan athletics. Salman currently serves as President of the Punjab Athletics Association, and that very election has become the catalyst for his ban.
The AFP declared the Punjab Athletics Association elections held on August 31, 2025, illegal and unconstitutional, noting that the polls were announced just two days in advance, violating the mandatory 21-day notice period required under the AFP constitution.
“After careful review and deliberation, the Executive Committee imposed a lifetime ban on Salman Butt… for gross violations of the AFP Constitution, of which he himself is a signatory,” the statement read.
Even senior members of the association, including its vice president, were reportedly unaware of the election schedule until a day before the vote.
“These actions reflected a complete lack of transparency and a deliberate attempt to undermine the AFP Constitution,” the federation said, adding that such practices “will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”
A Management Committee, headed by Shahida Khanum, has been formed to conduct fresh, transparent, and constitutionally valid elections for the Punjab body and oversee its daily operations in the interim.
Salman Butt’s ban now brings into focus the future of Pakistan’s star athlete, Arshad Nadeem. The 28-year-old has worked with Salman during the most successful period of his career, and his coach’s ban could further impact his performance. Their partnership has been widely credited with transforming Arshad’s international trajectory but the AFP’s latest decision marks a dramatic turn in that relationship.
All eyes are now on the outcome of this saga, which appears to be heading toward a legal battle.
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Salman Butt’s ban now brings into focus the future of Pakistan’s star athlete, Arshad Nadeem. The 28-year-old has worked with Salman during the most successful period of his career, and his coach’s ban could further impact his performance. Their partnership has been widely credited with transforming Arshad’s international trajectory but the AFP’s latest decision marks a dramatic turn in that relationship.
MANY MARCHES OF HOCKEY,FOOTBALL,AND CRICKET WE HAVE LOST AND MANY TIMES THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THEIR ACCOUNTABILITY BUT NOW THE AFRIDI IS AGAIN BACK IN THE NATIONAL TEAM BUT NOTHING HAS HAPPENED THUS IT NEEDS TO KNOW WHO ARE AFTER THE NADEEM AND HIS HELPERS AND WHY NOT TO SUPPORT HIM AS THE WINNER FOR THE SECOND TERMS AS WE HAVE BEEN DOING FOR THE OTHERS.