Islamabad, 26-Jan-2026 (PPI): The Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) was informed on Monday that not a single hockey club in the capital met the required criteria during the initial five-day registration and scrutiny process for the upcoming Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) elections, prompting the panel to suggest reopening the registration portal.
The issue was a central point of discussion during the 11th meeting of the parliamentary body, held under the chairmanship of MNA Sheikh Aftab Ahmed. The ministry briefed the attendees that a joint scrutiny committee, comprising representatives from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and the PHF, would be formed to oversee the election procedure.
Responding to concerns about potential irregularities, ministry officials gave an assurance that no "fake clubs" would be registered. It was detailed that club championships have been initiated at the district level and a total of 1100 clubs will be meticulously checked. The panel was also apprised of a grievance mechanism, stipulating that if the PHF fails to resolve complaints within three days, the IPC ministry will intervene.
The committee instructed the ministry to submit a comprehensive report once the scrutiny process concludes. A directive was also issued to take notice of and act against any commercial activities being conducted on hockey grounds.
In a move aimed at enhancing oversight, the Standing Committee constituted a sub-committee under the convenorship of Dr. Mehreen Razzaq Bhutto, MNA, with Mr. Anjum Aqeel Khan and Khawaja Izhar Ul Hassan as its members.
This sub-committee is tasked with a thorough review of the Pakistan Sports Board's activities over the last five financial years. Its terms of reference include examining year-wise major achievements, analysing the allocation and utilisation of development and non-development funds, scrutinising details of grants provided to beneficiary organisations, and investigating any unsettled audit objections along with the reasons for their non-settlement.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Mr. Anjum Aqeel Khan, Mr. Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, Mr. Haji Rasool Bax Chandio, Ms. Syeda Shehla Raza, Dr. Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto, Mr. Khawaja Izhar Ul Hassan, Mr. Babar Nawaz Khan, Mr. Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, Mr. Muhammad Idrees, and senior officers from the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination.