The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has removed Pakistan from its watchlist after confirming that the country’s anti-doping organisation has resolved outstanding compliance issues.
Pakistan was placed on the list in September 2024, alongside six other nations, for failing to meet updated anti-doping standards. Had the country not taken corrective steps, its athletes risked being barred from competing internationally.
On Friday, a Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) spokesperson said the compliance procedure was formally closed. “Wada confirmed that Pakistan was no longer under enhanced monitoring, ending speculation over sanctions,” the spokesperson noted.
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The reforms were introduced under the leadership of PSB Director General Yasir Pirzada. Measures included aligning national policy with Wada’s anti-doping code and overhauling procedures to ensure transparency.
Pirzada called the clearance “a lifeline for Pakistani athletes and sports federations.” He stressed that the outcome was vital for a country aiming to reassert itself on major sporting stages.
Wada’s decision comes at a time when the global body has been warning against the politicisation of anti-doping campaigns. Its president, Witold Banka, has said clean sport must remain the priority, free from political disputes.
