In a major development surrounding Pakistan’s athletics scene, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has reportedly launched an official inquiry into the controversial lifetime ban imposed on Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem’s coach, Salman Butt.
According to details available in the local media, the PSB’s adjudicators have summoned the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP), along with Arshad Nadeem and his coach, to appear on November 3. The hearing will be presided over by Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, who is set to review the matter and lead a neutral investigation into the federation’s decision.
The move follows the federal government’s directive to probe the Athletics Federation’s abrupt and highly debated decision to bar Salman Butt for life, a ruling that has sparked outrage among athletes and fans alike.
Salman Butt, who has been instrumental in Arshad Nadeem’s rise to global stardom, including his historic Olympic gold, has strongly denied the allegations that led to his suspension. He termed the ban “a result of personal bias and vendetta,” calling it an attempt to tarnish his professional reputation.
The PSB’s intervention signals that the government is taking the issue seriously, aiming to ensure transparency and fairness in the process. Sources close to the board confirm that the case will be treated as a priority, given its implications for Pakistan’s athletics future and its top-performing athlete.
This controversy comes at a time when Pakistan’s sporting image is under the spotlight following Arshad Nadeem’s historic achievements, and fans are now demanding justice for the coach who played a crucial role in shaping the country’s biggest Olympic success story.
