The Islamabad High Court has dismissed a petition filed by the Pakistan Athletics Federation challenging the removal of a lifetime ban imposed on coach Salman Butt, who is associated with Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the case and ruled that the Athletics Federation’s plea against lifting the ban was not maintainable. The court directed the Pakistan Sports Board to hear the federation’s appeal and issue a decision in accordance with the law.
The Pakistan Athletics Federation had earlier imposed a lifetime ban on coach Salman Iqbal Butt. However, the Pakistan Sports Board’s adjudicator had set aside the ban, declaring it unconstitutional.
Following that decision, the Athletics Federation challenged the ruling of the PSB adjudicator before the Islamabad High Court. The appeal against the adjudicator’s order was filed under the leadership of Parvez Rashid.
With the dismissal of the petition, the matter has now been referred back to the Pakistan Sports Board, which has been instructed to formally hear the federation’s appeal and decide the case.
The development is being closely followed in sporting circles, given Salman Butt’s association with Pakistan’s top javelin thrower and Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem.
