LAHORE: Pakistan authorities have launched a high-level effort to trace boxer Qudratullah, who failed to return home with the national contingent at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, well-informed sources told Dawn on Wednesday.
The disappearance of the 20-year-old boxer, who competed in the men’s 60kg category, is being treated as a high-profile case, the sources said.
“Until around 2:00am in Glasgow, when the contingent was due to leave for Pakistan the following morning, every member of the contingent was present at one place,” a member of the Pakistan contingent told Dawn on condition of anonymity.
“Later in the night, as the Games organisers had provided separate accommodation for each athlete, everyone returned to their respective rooms. Qudratullah also went to his room,” the source added.
“The passports and air tickets of all contingent members, including Qudratullah, were in the custody of the head of the contingent. Despite taking all the preventive measures that the contingent management could, Qudratullah still managed to disappear. It is extremely unfortunate and has tarnished the country’s image,” the official said.
Government agencies are making serious efforts to trace the boxer, the source said, adding: “The authorities are trying to determine Qudratullah’s whereabouts. If he intends to apply for asylum, it may not be possible under the circumstances.”
Sources said that since British authorities issued six-month visas to all members of the Pakistani contingent, they may not treat the case as urgent until the visa validity nears its expiry.
Qudratullah, who is associated with the department of Pakistan Army, lost to Northern Ireland’s Jude Gallagher in the men’s 60kg category during the Games.
Pakistan returned from Glasgow with only one medal — a bronze won by boxer Fatima Zahra in the women’s 60kg category.
This is not the first such incident involving Pakistani athletes. During the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, two Pakistani boxers failed to return home with the national contingent.
In 2024, boxer Zohaib Rasheed went missing in Italy while representing Pakistan at an Olympic qualifying event.
Despite repeated attempts, no official of the Pakistan Boxing Federation could be contacted for comment.
Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026