ISLAMABAD: Pakistani boxer Qudratullah, who represented the country at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland, has gone ‘missing’ after failing to return with the national team, a senior boxing federation official confirmed on Tuesday.
Several Pakistani athletes have disappeared during overseas sporting events in recent years, with many believed to have remained abroad in search of better economic opportunities or asylum. The incidents have become a recurring challenge for Pakistan’s sports federations and have raised concerns about tighter visa scrutiny for future national teams traveling to international competitions.
Qudratullah, who is associated with the Pakistan Army, was part of the country’s 21-member Commonwealth Games contingent, which finished the tournament with just one medal after boxer Fatima Zahra won bronze in the women’s 60kg event.
“Yes, he did not return as per schedule with officials,” a Pakistani boxing federation official told Arab News in response to a question.
The army has not yet commented on the issue.
According to Pakistani broadcaster Geo News, Qudratullah disappeared around six hours before the boxing team’s scheduled departure from Scotland. The boxer was last seen in his hotel room at around 2 a.m. but was no longer there when team officials checked on him at about 9 a.m.
The report said Qudratullah’s passport and return ticket remained in the custody of the team manager.
His disappearance is the latest in a series of similar incidents involving Pakistani athletes competing abroad.
During the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, two Pakistani boxers failed to return home with the national contingent after the tournament.
In 2024, boxer Zohaib Rasheed disappeared in Italy while representing Pakistan at an Olympic qualifying event. Rasheed later publicly said financial hardship and the lack of opportunities for athletes in Pakistan had influenced his decision to remain abroad.
The repeated incidents have prompted concerns among sports officials that Pakistani athletes traveling for international competitions could face greater scrutiny from foreign immigration authorities, potentially making it more difficult for future teams to obtain visas.
