Lahore – The Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) has imposed a lifetime ban on renowned athlete Arshad Nadeem’s coach, Salman Iqbal Butt, following allegations of organizing unconstitutional elections within the Punjab Athletics Association.

According to the AFP, after careful review and deliberation, the Executive Committee found Salman Butt, a former office bearer of the Punjab Athletics Association and a signatory to the AFP Constitution, guilty of gross violations of the federation’s rules. He is henceforth barred for life from participating in any athletics activity, whether as an athlete, coach, official, or office bearer, at both national and international levels, inside or outside Pakistan.

Similarly, Habib Shah, former Secretary of the Punjab Athletics Association and a close associate of Salman Butt, has been banned for 10 years from participation in any athletics-related activity in any capacity at the national or international level.

The Executive Committee also declared the Punjab Athletics Association’s purported elections, held on 31 August 2025, as illegal, unconstitutional, and null and void ab initio. According to the federation, these elections were announced at midnight on 29 August, only two days prior, despite the AFP Constitution mandating a minimum 21-day notice before convening an electoral meeting and a 7-day window for candidates to submit nominations.

It was further noted that even the Senior Vice President of the Punjab Athletics Association was unaware of the election schedule until 30 August 2025, just one day before the elections, raising serious procedural and ethical concerns.

An AFP spokesperson stated that the decision was necessary to uphold institutional discipline and ensure constitutional compliance, confirming that the elections stand void. The spokesperson emphasized that the move reflects the federation’s commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability within Pakistan’s athletics administration.