KARACHI, Jan 5: Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) secretary Shakeel Durrani on Friday ruled out any possibility of lifting life ban on pugilists Mehrullah Lassi and Faisal Karim from taking part in international competitions.

However, he said the boxers would be allowed to participate in domestic events after serving two-year ban.

Mehrullah and Faisal had been awarded the bans by the PBF after reported positive for using Marijuana in last year's South Asian Games in Sri Lanka.

Durrani said the federation would stand by its decision as it was the second incident when the two boxers were found guilty of using the banned drugs.

“If the decision had not been taken, the International Amateur Boxing Federation would have imposed a ban on the PBF,” he said.

Meanwhile, Durrani said that the PBF will be organising a Junior and Cadet Class competition from Jan 15 at the Karachi Port Trust Complex.

He said pugilists from all the four provinces besides various departments will vie in the four-day event.—PPI