Pakistan boxer mysteriously disappears in Glasgow before flight home

GLASGOW: A mystery has emerged following the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games after Pakistani boxer Qudrat Ullah reportedly disappeared from Glasgow just hours before the national squad was scheduled to fly back to Pakistan, prompting an investigation by the Pakistan Boxing Federation.

According to federation sources, Qudrat Ullah failed to rejoin his teammates ahead of the team’s departure from Scotland. The boxer is believed to have gone missing approximately six hours before the group’s scheduled return flight, raising concerns among officials accompanying the contingent.

The team had been instructed to assemble in the hotel lobby at 9 a.m. before leaving for the airport. However, when officials went to Qudrat Ullah’s room to escort him, they found it empty. Sources said he had last been seen in his room around 2 a.m., but by morning there was no sign of him.

The circumstances surrounding his disappearance have deepened the mystery because his passport and return airline ticket were reportedly still in the custody of the team manager. Officials have not explained how the boxer could have left without the travel documents required for his scheduled journey home.

The Pakistan Boxing Federation has confirmed that the athlete is missing and said the matter is under investigation. Federation officials are coordinating with relevant authorities to determine his whereabouts and establish the sequence of events leading to his disappearance.

No official statement has yet been issued regarding whether local Scottish authorities have launched a formal search or whether there is any indication of foul play. Federation officials have urged caution, saying further details will be shared once the inquiry progresses.

The incident has revived memories of a similar episode during the 2022 Commonwealth Games in England, when two Pakistani boxers reportedly separated from the national team and failed to return with the delegation. That case sparked debate over athlete monitoring during international competitions and the challenges sports federations face in ensuring team discipline while abroad.

Qudrat Ullah’s unexplained disappearance is likely to draw renewed scrutiny of travel protocols for national teams representing Pakistan at major sporting events. As officials continue their investigation, questions remain over what happened in the final hours before the squad’s departure and when the missing boxer will be located.