Pakistan PM takes notice of ‘unjustified delay' of cash reward, support for boxer Shahzaib Rind
Rind made history in September last year when he won the World Karate Combat Light Heavyweight Championship, beating Brazil's Luiz Victor Rocha in the final in Singapore. The remarkable feat made him the first person from Pakistan to win the world title.
Following his achievement, Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari presented Rind a cheque of Rs100 million [$352,600] while as per reports, former federal minister Sardar Yaar Muhammad Rind announced he would give Rind 25 acres of land.
Rind took to social media platform X on July 23, saying that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif promised him a sum of Rs5 million [$17,630] and Rs80 million [$282,080] to support his training camp and upcoming fights. However, the Pakistani fighter said it was 'all a lie, I never got a penny from them.'
'Dear Shahzeb, there seems to be some miscommunication,' Tarar wrote to Rind on X on Saturday. 'We sincerely apologize for this unjustified delay, sportsmen like you are our real heroes and we value your achievements.'
The minister acknowledged that Rind had brought honor to the country and made everyone proud through his achievements.
'The Prime Minister has taken serious notice of this inordinate delay and rest assured, it will be sorted out immediately, inshallah [god willing],' Tarar added.
He said Sharif had instructed authorities that such mistakes must never happen again.
'We regret this unjustified delay and the inconvenience caused,' he added.
Dear Shahzeb, @RindhShahzaib
There seems to be some miscommunication. We sincerely apologise for this unjustified delay, sportsmen like you are our real heroes and we value your achievements. You have brought great honour to the country and made us all proud. The Prime Minister…
— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) July 26, 2025
Rind responded by thanking Tarar, saying he appreciated Sharif taking notice of the incident.
'Inshallah, with your support, we can continue to uplift and inspire the next generation of champions,' he wrote.
Thank you for your kind message and acknowledgment. I truly appreciate the Prime Minister's attention to this matter and his commitment to supporting athletes like myself.
Representing Pakistan on the world stage is an honour, and I will always give my all for our country.… https://t.co/rfSXiT33Vv
— Shahzaib 'KING' Rind (@RindhShahzaib) July 27, 2025
Rind, who hails from the impoverished southwestern Balochistan province, won his first martial arts title in 2011 after claiming victory in a provincial-level competition. His first national title came in 2019 when he triumphed at the National Games in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
During the two-and-a-half years of an undefeated Karate Combat career, Rind has fought fighters from North America, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, France and India.
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