Pakistan has been removed from the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (Wada) watchlist after completing long-pending reforms, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) confirmed on Friday.
The country was placed under enhanced monitoring in September 2024 over non-conformities with Wada’s updated anti-doping code. Officials were given four months to align Pakistan’s Anti-Doping Organisation (Adop) with global standards or risk automatic non-compliance.
According to a PSB spokesperson, Wada confirmed in September that the compliance procedure against Adop was closed. “Pakistan is no longer under enhanced monitoring, ending speculation over possible sanctions,” the statement said.
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The reforms were carried out under PSB Director General Yasir Pirzada, who oversaw alignment of national policies with international requirements. “This is not just a bureaucratic victory; it is a lifeline for Pakistani athletes and sports federations,” Pirzada said.
Officials warned that failure to comply could have resulted in Pakistan’s athletes being barred from competing under the national flag, with major risks of sporting isolation.
Wada had listed seven countries last year, including Namibia, Panama, Samoa, Senegal, Uganda, and Uruguay. All were instructed to address outstanding issues or face consequences.