The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has imposed a lifetime ban on Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) President Khalid Mehmood and Secretary Colonel (retired) Nasir Ijaz Tung following a series of incidents where three boxers disappeared during international tours.
The decision comes after a government inquiry into the alleged negligence and mismanagement by the federation’s leadership.
The controversy erupted after two boxers, Suleman Baloch and Nazeerullah Khan, went missing in Birmingham in 2022, shortly after the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games. Earlier this year, Asian bronze medalist Zohaib Rasheed disappeared in Italy during the World Qualifying round for the Paris Olympics.
Investigation leads to severe action
The disappearances prompted the PSB to launch an investigation into the role of the PBF in the incidents. A committee established by the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) found the federation’s officials culpable of negligence.
Based on the committee’s findings, the IPC recommended lifetime bans on Mehmood and Ijaz, instructing the PSB to refer the case to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further scrutiny.
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Acting on the recommendations, the PSB’s Board of Governors (BoG) enforced the lifetime bans, effectively barring both Mehmood and Ijaz from holding any future positions in national sports federations. Khalid Mehmood, who also serves as Secretary of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), faces a significant blow to his sports career.
In response, Nasir Ijaz Tung rejected the decision, calling it “illegal.” Speaking to Geo News, Tung vowed to challenge the ban in court, stating that they will not accept the verdict without a legal fight.
