Pakistan Weightlifting Chief, Coach Handed Life Bans By CAS For Systemic Doping

The Court of Arbitration for Sport's Anti-Doping Division (CAS ADD) has imposed a life ban on suspended Pakistan Weightlifting Federation chief Hafiz Imran Butt and coach Irfan Butt for their involvement in the administration of banned substances to the country's athletes, including minors, between 2014 and 2016.

Pakistani weightlifter Abubakar Ghani has also been handed a four-year ban for submitting falsified medical prescriptions to explain failed dope tests.

Ghani had tested positive for the prohibited hormone and metabolic modulator Tamoxifen metabolite during the 2021 World Championships in Tashkent.

In its judgement indicting Hafiz and Irfan, the CAS-ADD stated, "...both athlete support personnel had been directly involved in the administration of prohibited substances, including steroids, to Pakistani athletes, including minors, and had played central roles in large-scale doping in Pakistan." "Given the nature and severity of their conduct, each individual was sanctioned with the maximum period of ineligibility applicable, being a lifetime ban.

"In application of this sanction, both Mr Hafiz Imran Butt and Mr Irfan Butt shall thus be prevented from participating in any activity authorised or organised by any signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code in any capacity whatsoever," it added.

Both Hafiz and Irfan were suspended by the Pakistan Sports Board in November last year due to anti-doping violations.

In the case of Ghani, who had served a two-year ban previously for the violation in 2021, it came to light that he had falsified documents to fight his case, resulting in the additional charge of "tampering with the doping control process".

"The case was referred to the CAS ADD for adjudication and CAS ADD confirmed the ADRV (Anti-Doping Rule Violations) and imposed a four-year period of ineligibility against the athlete, which commenced on the date the decision was issued, being 6 March 2026, and will remain in effect until 5 March 2030."

The CAS ADD has also ruled that the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation will face additional action as more than three athletes and athlete support personnel have been found involved in anti-doping violations. The PWLF is currently under a one-year suspension for previous offences by its officials, coaches and athletes.

"These new confirmed ADRVs may lead to new proceedings against the PWLF in accordance with Article 12.3 of the IWF (International Weightlifting Federation) ADR (Anti-Doping Rules)," the CAS ADD stated.