ISLAMABAD, Sept 28: Justice Mohammad Azim Khan Afridi of the Islamabad High Court knocked down a notification issued by troubled President of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Lt Gen (retd) Syed Arif Hasan on Sept 7 related to suspension of Islamabad Olympic Association (IOA) chief Brig Arif Siddiqui.

The court noted in its judgment on Friday that it has suspended the notification of temporary suspension of Brig Arif Siddiqui from his current position of the IOA.

The notification of the court was issued mainly since Brig Siddiqui has sought relief from the court. Brig Siddiqui has also filed a fresh writ petition before the Islamabad High Court along with a contempt of court petition against Gen Arif.

Brig Siddiqui, when contacted, said: “This contempt petition is filed in reaction to Gen Arif’s press release sent to all the associations and the media saying that since I (Brig Siddiqui) have requested the high court to implement the National Sports Policy in letter and spirit, I am asked to clarify my position as to why I am going to the court which is so ridiculous.”

“Every citizen has the right to approach the court to seek justice and this is also a right as per the constitution of Pakistan. The implementation of National Sports Policy 2005 means fairness of system and better governance and this is all what I want,” he maintained.

It may be mentioned that the National Sports Policy 2005 bars officials of the national sports federation from holding office for a third term.