Pakistan’s participation in the International Horseback Archery Championship in Russia received judicial attention on Tuesday after the Lahore High Court directed authorities to immediately decide a pending No Objection Certificate (NOC) request filed by an FIA officer selected to represent the country.
Justice Khalid Ishaq issued the directive while hearing a petition filed by FIA Sub-Inspector Najibullah Khan Niazi. His counsel, Advocate Azhar Siddique, informed the court that Niazi and his 14-year-old daughter had been selected to represent Pakistan at the international championship in Russia.
The petitioner argued that although an application for leave and an NOC had already been submitted to the FIA Director General, no decision had been made despite the urgency of the event. The delay, the court was told, risked preventing Pakistan’s representatives from participating in the competition.
During the hearing, Justice Ishaq questioned why an athlete chosen to represent Pakistan abroad was being held back due to administrative delays. “The petitioner is going to raise Pakistan’s flag in Russia. A prompt decision should be made,” the judge observed.
The court directed the Assistant Attorney General to immediately contact the FIA Director General, ensure the matter is resolved without further delay, and report back to the court. Justice Ishaq ordered that the NOC request be decided the same day, stressing that the opportunity to represent Pakistan should not be lost because of bureaucratic hurdles.
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