By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Pakistan’s weightlifting sector is facing severe challenges that have completely stalled the sport’s development, leaving top athletes such as Nooh Dastgir Butt and Olympian Talha Talib without the support they need.
International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has suspended Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWF) over multiple doping violations. The suspension will remain in place until the PWF pays the fines imposed on the athletes who breached anti-doping rules. Until then, Pakistan cannot field weightlifters in international competitions.
This correspondent understands that fines have been levied on only a handful of athletes, all of whom have already served their bans. It is expected that a few more suspended athletes may also face financial penalties, which will further complicate the PWF’s situation.
Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has also suspended the PWF and installed an interim committee to oversee the sport’s domestic affairs.
The uncertainty raises serious concerns about the future of Pakistan’s elite weightlifters, especially Nooh Dastgir Butt and Talha Talib, both of whom aim to win medals at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Their progress is being hindered by the ongoing administrative and disciplinary issues under PWF’s president Jibran Butt, son of former Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Secretary General Hafiz Salman Butt.
Both Nooh and Talha require immediate and substantial support from the authorities, support that is currently missing. To compete at the highest level, they need quality training, access to a foreign coach, and a properly managed national camp with full facilities. Instead, both are training at private facilities in Gujranwala an arrangement far from ideal for athletes of their calibre.
Nooh, a gold medallist at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, is widely regarded as a powerhouse capable of achieving major international success. Talha represented Pakistan at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics through a universality spot and produced a remarkable performance by finishing fifth—an achievement that made him a national sensation.
Talha was later suspended for doping but completed his ban in January 2025 and is again eligible for international competition. He continued training during his suspension which has helped him maintain form. He plans to compete in the 79kg category.
Nooh, who has also competed in powerlifting, has restored his working relationship with the PWF and remains in excellent condition. He is coached by his father, former international lifter Ghulam Dastgir Butt, who has invested heavily in his training. Nooh’s younger brother, Hanzala Dastgir Butt, has also returned from injury and is in peak shape.
Talha is being trained also by his father Mohammad Islam Natiq, also a former weightlifter.
Authorities must support both Nooh and Talha in their Olympic journey. They have the talent not only to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Games but can also win medals.
Next year, Scotland will host the Commonwealth Games and Nooh, Talha and Hanzala are all strong medal prospects. However, their participation is uncertain due to the PWF’s ongoing suspension which has already denied them access to key international competitions.
The athletes have already missed the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships—a direct qualifier for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Their remaining path to qualification is through rankings, with the qualification window running from June 1, 2025, to May 18, 2026.
Only athletes who compete internationally during this period will have a chance to qualify through rankings. Failure to do so would leave Pakistan relying on tripartite (wild-card) invitations via the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA). While wild-cards remain an option, direct qualification is far more desirable but who will enable these athletes to pursue it remains an open question.
The POA must urgently engage with these weightlifters and provide clarity about their competitive future, particularly regarding their participation in the Commonwealth Games. Leaving the matter unresolved will only create confusion, affect their morale and hinder their ability to train at full intensity.
With wrestling excluded from the Commonwealth Games roster, weightlifting presents Pakistan with genuine medal prospects. After the Islamic Solidarity Games, the POA and PSB must prioritise the issue to safeguard the athletes’ valuable preparation time. It is essential for all stakeholders to resolve their differences and work collectively for the development of Pakistan’s sports sector.
Glasgow Commonwealth Games Qualification System
The 2026 Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2, with a total quota of 176 weightlifters (88 men and 88 women).
Qualification will follow four pathways:
1. Automatic qualification for host nation Scotland.
2. Direct qualification through the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships (August 2025, India).
3. Ranking-based qualification from competitions held between June 1, 2025, and May 18, 2026.
4. Bipartite invitations for nations not qualifying through the first three routes.
Each of the eight men’s and eight women’s weight categories will feature a maximum of 11 athletes. Of the 176 total slots, 128 will come from the rankings, 16 from host-nation automatic berths, 16 from Commonwealth Championship winners, and 16 via bipartite invitations.
The 2025 IWF World Championships in Forde, Norway, was the only IWF-owned qualifying event for the Commonwealth Games. Continental championships held during the qualification period will also contribute to the rankings.
