Pakistani Weightlifters Face International Ban Over Unpaid Anti-Doping Fine

Pakistan’s weightlifting crisis has worsened as national athletes face exclusion from international events, including the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, over an unpaid anti-doping fine of more than $30,000.

The fine was imposed by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) over systemic anti-doping rule violations involving the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWLF), its officials, and leading athletes from 2021 onward.

Interim Committee Chairman Zahid Iqbal has raised the issue in a letter to the President and Secretary of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), and Secretary of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC).

He has demanded recovery of the outstanding amount from the suspended federation, former officials, and athletes involved in the case.

According to Zahid, the PWLF, its players, and officials will remain suspended until the fine is paid to the IWF. He also urged the PSB to ask the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to place the names of those responsible on the Exit Control List (ECL) until they clear their personal and collective liabilities.

Zahid said the PSB-formed Interim Committee, which has been running weightlifting affairs since August 2022, has not received the complete breakup of the fine. However, he said Talha Talib and Abu Bakar Ghani were each fined $5,000 for anti-doping rule violations in 2021, while the total amount has now crossed $30,000 due to non-payment.

He also criticized the POA for continuing to recognize the suspended PWLF despite its suspension by the PSB in 2022 and by the IWF in 2025. Zahid further claimed that the federation’s former president, who was banned for life by the IWF and CAS ADD in April 2026, is still holding a position in the POA.

The Interim Committee chairman alleged that the delay has stopped clean weightlifters and coaches from representing Pakistan internationally and damaged the country’s sporting image.

He asked the POA to recover the fine from Hafiz Imran, Irfan Butt, Talha Talib, Abu Bakar Ghani, and members of the suspended PWLF’s Executive Committees from 2021 onward. He said the payment should be made to the IWF immediately to stop the amount from increasing further.

Zahid also called on the POA and PSB to ensure that no player or official linked to the suspended PWLF, including Talha Talib, receives accreditation for any international event until they pay their share of the fine.

He urged the PSB to seek provisional recognition of the Interim Committee from the IWF, saying the move would protect clean athletes and allow them to represent Pakistan in upcoming competitions.

Zahid requested the POA president to resolve the matter in the larger national interest and address what he described as favoritism toward the suspended federation and delinquent officials and players.