ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s weightlifting community has been hit with a major scandal as multiple athletes and officials have been banned for anti-doping violations, dealing a heavy blow to the sport’s credibility in the country.
The Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWF) confirmed that several top lifters and federation members have been sanctioned after testing positive for banned substances, prompting disciplinary action from the relevant authorities.
The crackdown followed extensive investigations by the international anti-doping body, which revealed serious breaches of testing protocols. Officials said that the athletes involved would face suspensions ranging from two to eight years, depending on the severity of the violations.
The ban not only affects the athletes’ careers but also Pakistan’s participation prospects in upcoming regional and international weightlifting competitions.
Authorities are now calling for a full review of the federation’s internal monitoring systems to prevent future doping scandals.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.