Banned Olympian Junaid receives backing from National Assembly committee as he discloses lifetime ban, leaving members in shock.

TTS Report

Khawaja Junaid, a member of the 1994 World Cup-winning hockey team, received strong support from the National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination, led by Chairman Nawab Sher Waseer, during a recent meeting. Junaid lodged a genuine complaint against the lifetime ban imposed on him by the de-notified Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

When Khawaja Junaid unexpectedly requested permission from Nawab Waseer to present his complaint, the chairman accepted it. The committee members were taken aback when Junaid revealed the details of his lifetime ban.Expressing their admiration, Chairman Nawab Sher Waseer stated, “You are our hero, having brought us the World Cup and served the country’s hockey during challenging times. We are proud of you,” while other committee members showed their appreciation by tapping the table.

Nawab Waseer, an MNA from Faisalabad, expressed surprise at the ban imposed by a de-notified federation and questioned how such a federation could enforce a ban on a world champion, calling the ban worthless.Haider Hussain, secretary of the de-notified federation, accused Junaid of playing an extra player in a crucial World Cup qualifier against Japan, but also acknowledged Junaid’s contributions as an official during numerous tours.

The article also highlights a question raised in the National Assembly about the significant grant received by the PHF in recent times, totaling over 2000 million rupees from various sources over the past eight years, including government grants and sponsorships. However, there are concerns about the allocation and utilization of this substantial amount, and rumors suggest the existence of a hidden account in a branch of Sindh Bank in Lahore. If these rumors hold true, auditors, especially the special auditors, will face a considerable challenge in examining the details of the funds and expenditures.