The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has announced strict disciplinary action against several national weightlifters and officials for serious breaches of anti-doping regulations. The decision comes after findings from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Testing Agency (ITA) confirmed multiple violations within Pakistan’s weightlifting community.
According to the PSB, the banned individuals include weightlifters Sharjeel Butt, Abdul Rehman, Ghulam Mustafa, and Farhan Majeed, along with former Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWF) president Hafiz Imran Butt and coaches Irfan Butt and Waqas Akbar.
All those sanctioned have been handed four-year suspensions, during which they will not be allowed to participate in any national or international sports event under the PSB’s jurisdiction.
Global Investigation Uncovers Systematic Doping Practices
The disciplinary action follows the outcomes of Operation Jasmine, a global investigation launched jointly by WADA and ITA in 2021 to examine doping violations within Pakistan’s weightlifting circuit. The inquiry revealed a network of athletes and officials involved in the possession and use of prohibited substances, as well as attempts to evade mandatory testing.
Sources indicated that the initial probe began after four weightlifters — Sharjeel Butt, Abdul Rehman, Ghulam Mustafa, and Farhan Majeed — allegedly tried to avoid a doping test in November 2021. The evasion triggered a deeper investigation that exposed more extensive violations within the federation.
Coaches and Officials Also Face Consequences
In August 2024, the ITA formally charged former PWF president Hafiz Imran Butt and coach Irfan Butt for possessing and administering banned substances. Later, in February 2025, the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s Anti-Doping Division (CAS ADD) imposed four-year bans on the late Amjad Amin Butt, who served as PWF Vice President, and coach Waqas Akbar.
The PSB confirmed that all evidence collected during the inquiry clearly demonstrated repeated doping infractions and deliberate efforts to bypass anti-doping regulations.
Federation Suspension and Continued Oversight
The Pakistan Weightlifting Federation had already faced suspension following multiple hearings for its failure to cooperate and provide satisfactory explanations regarding the doping allegations. The PSB stated that these latest sanctions reaffirm its commitment to upholding global anti-doping standards and ensuring accountability at every level of sports administration.
A PSB representative emphasized that the disciplinary measures underscore the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward doping. The board intends to maintain strict enforcement of anti-doping laws to protect the integrity of Pakistani athletes and ensure that future competitions remain fair and transparent.
Promoting Clean Sports in Pakistan
This latest action serves as a warning to athletes and sports officials across all disciplines. The PSB reiterated that any form of performance enhancement through banned substances undermines both personal integrity and the nation’s sporting reputation.
Moving forward, the Board plans to intensify its testing protocols, strengthen education programs for athletes, and collaborate closely with international agencies to prevent future violations. The goal, officials said, is to promote a culture of clean competition and ethical sportsmanship throughout Pakistan’s athletic community.
