The discord between the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and national sports federations continues to escalate, following the PSB’s decision to impose an indefinite ban on Syed Fakhar Ali Shah, the longstanding President of the Pakistan Federation Baseball (PFB).
According to the PSB, Shah has been suspended for repeated violations of its regulations, most notably for sending teams abroad without securing the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC).
An official notification from the PSB stated that Shah facilitated the participation of teams in international events without prior approval—a clear breach of the national sports policy. The statement reiterated that no athlete or federation is permitted to travel abroad for sporting events without an official NOC.
The PSB disclosed that the Baseball Federation sent teams to Malaysia and Chinese Taipei in August, allegedly using a forged NOC purportedly issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After conducting an internal review, the board issued a show-cause notice to Shah on September 9. However, his response was deemed unsatisfactory.
As a result, the PSB has banned Syed Fakhar Ali Shah indefinitely from all sports-related activities. This includes holding office, attending official meetings, and representing Pakistan in any capacity. The board clarified that he retains the right to appeal the decision within 30 days.
Tensions between the sports board and the Pakistan Baseball Federation have been simmering for some time, and this latest move underscores the PSB’s efforts to tighten oversight of national sports bodies. The board aims to curb administrative misconduct and enforce greater accountability within Pakistan’s sports governance framework.
The PSB has already taken controversial steps recently, including banning Arshad Nadeem’s coach. The decision to now penalize the PFB president is expected to further widen the rift between the governing body and various federations.