Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has banned several national weightlifters and officials for serious violations of anti-doping regulations.
According to the PSB, multiple athletes and officials of the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWF) have been suspended following reports from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Testing Agency (ITA).
As per the notification, the banned athletes include Sharjeel Butt, Abdul Rehman, Ghulam Mustafa, and Farhan Majeed, while former PWF President Hafiz Imran Butt and coaches Irfan Butt and Waqas Akbar have also been suspended.
The PSB said that the ban will remain effective for four years, during which the suspended athletes and officials will not be allowed to participate in any national or international event under the PSB platform.
This action follows Operation Jasmine, a joint investigation launched by WADA and ITA in 2021. In November 2021, four Pakistani weightlifters—Sharjeel Butt, Abdul Rehman, Ghulam Mustafa, and Farhan Majeed—attempted to evade an out-of-competition test, leading to the inquiry.
Later, in August 2024, the testing agency charged former president Hafiz Imran Butt and coach Irfan Butt with possession and use of prohibited substances. In February 2025, the CAS Additional Dispute Division (CAS ADD) imposed a four-year ban on the late Amjad Amin Butt (PWF Vice President) and coach Waqas Akbar.
The PSB emphasized that the evidence clearly confirms multiple doping violations. It added that the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation had previously been suspended after several hearings for failing to provide satisfactory explanations.
According to the PSB, this action reflects its commitment to promoting clean and transparent sports in
