(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
PHF President Directed to Hold Elections Within Two Months
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has been instructed to hold its long-delayed elections within the next two months. A parliamentary panel also directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to complete its ongoing inquiry into the federation.
The decision came during a meeting of a sub-committee of the Standing Committee of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), chaired by MNA Sheikh Aftab Ahmed. Stakeholders including representatives from the Ministry of Law, Attorney General’s Office, PHF officials, and the IPC Ministry attended the session.
PHF President Tariq Hussain Bugti was informed that while his appointment as PHF president was legitimate, his mandate to hold elections had faced delays. The committee asked Bugti to complete the elections within the specified timeframe, and he assured them that he would comply.
The committee also directed the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to review hockey clubs in collaboration with local authorities and other stakeholders.
During the session, FIA officials briefed the committee on the pending inquiry into over 100 audit paras of the PHF, many relating to alleged corruption. The FIA was instructed to conclude the inquiry and submit its outcome within two months. The upcoming PHF elections will be held under the supervision of a PSB-appointed election commissioner.
Last month, Bugti was asked to justify delays in conducting elections, submit statements for all PHF bank accounts, disclose tour expenditures of office-bearers, and explain the utilization of income from rented properties. Questions were also raised regarding unauthorized perks and administrative expenses drawn by PHF officials.
MNA Anjum Aqeel Khan, a committee member, said, “Hockey is our national game and it deserves special attention. Three major decisions were made today – PHF elections within two months, early completion of the FIA inquiry, and scrutiny of all hockey clubs.”
He added, “We will ensure timely and transparent elections for the hockey federation. The national game is close to my heart, and no stone will be left unturned for its betterment.”
