PSB serves legal notice on POA, OCA-recognised federation

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has served a legal notice on the President Bodybuilding Federation recognized by the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

In a notice served to federation President Tariq Pervez, the PSB has warned him against using the title of ‘Pakistan’. The PSB is gearing up to hold the bodybuilding federation elections on June 20. In response, the POA has written a letter to all the bodybuilding federation’s affiliated units against participating in these elections.

“We have written a letter to all the affiliated units against participating in such elections that do not have the POA’s backing,” a POA official, when contacted, said. The PSB in its legal notice served on Tariq Pervez states that non-affiliated entity, presenting itself as the “Pakistan Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation,” is misusing the name “Pakistan” in its operations, promotional activities, social media, and other materials, despite not being affiliated with or recognized by the PSB.

The notice highlighted that this act constitutes a serious violation of the PSB Constitution and national laws, and misleads athletes, sponsors, institutions, and the general public. Such conduct creates confusion regarding the official status of the organization and undermines the integrity of the national sports governance structure, potentially resulting in reputational and legal complications.

The notice further clarified that the Pakistan Sports Board is the sole competent authority to register and recognize national sports federations in the country. “No organization can claim to represent Pakistan in any sport without PSB’s prior approval or formal recognition,” the legal notice stated.

PSB has directed the concerned entity to immediately stop using the word “Pakistan” in its name and all related materials, and to remove all publications, signboards, websites, and social media content that give an impression of affiliation with PSB or the Government of Pakistan.

Furthermore, the organization has been strictly instructed not to make any future claims of being a national federation or representing Pakistan in any capacity.

The notice requires the submission of a written explanation and confirmation of compliance within seven (07) days from the date of receipt.

Failure to comply will compel the Pakistan Sports Board to initiate appropriate legal and administrative action, which may include approaching relevant courts, the Pakistan Telecommunication Auth-ority (PTA), and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for regulatory intervention. Despite efforts, Tariq Pervez was not available for his comments.