In an unusual development which may raise voices in support of freedom of expression, Olympian Rashid-ul-Hasan was banned by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Thursday for ten years allegedly for his offensive criticism over the decline of the country’s hockey on a social media platform.
Rashid, the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games gold medallist, while categorically denying the alle-gations of using offensive language is considering the option to challenge the ban in the court of law.
A PHF inquiry committee was constituted to see if Rashid had used abusive language against Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is also the PHF patron-in-chief.
The instructions in this regard were given by PHF president retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khok-har and secretary Asif Bajwa, said a press release issued on Thursday.
After Rashid did not respond to two notices is-sued to him on the matter, the committee on PHF president’s instructions imposed the ten-year ban.
The copy of the notification has also been sent to National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Sports. Speaking on the matter, Rashid dispelled the impression of abusive language he was alleged to have used against the prime minister on any social media forum. —Agencies
