Najam Sethi will replace Zaka Ashraf as the chairperson of the PCB. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday removed Zaka Ashraf from the post of PCB chairperson.
Talking to media in Lahore, Sethi said Prime Minister has constituted the interim body using his constitutional right and I have been elected by the committee unanimously.
We have been tasked to form a new PCB constitution, said Sethi. He further added that new constitution would be formulated after taking all the stakeholders on board.
A notification was also issued regarding the removal and the dissolution of the PCB governing body.
An 11-member interim body was constituted to deal with the day-to-day matters of the cricket board. Shehryar Khan, Zaheer Abbas, Navid Akram, Shakil Shaikh, Najam Sethi, Iqbal Qasim, Yousuf Khokar and Amir Tariq Zaman are part of the interim body.
Radio Pakistan also tweeted about this :
PM Nawaz Sharif as patron-in-chief has dissolved the governing board of Pakistan Cricket Board
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) February 10, 2014
PM has constituted interim committee to run the affairs of Pakistan Cricket Board
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) February 10, 2014
Speaking at a book launch in Lahore, Ashraf, however, stated that he is still the PCB chairperson and has not received the notification yet.
The Islamabad High Court had reinstated Ashraf as PCB chairperson just 27 days ago.
Ashraf was appointed as the board head in the last Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) tenure.
Appointment declared ‘illegal’
On July 19, 2013, the Islamabad High Court had declared appointment of Ashraf “illegal” and directed the acting PCB chief Najam Sethi to hold elections within 90 days.
In a 30-page detailed judgment, Justice Siddiqui had pointed out that Ashraf was not appointed on the basis of his career as a cricketer, but because he was Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited’s (ZTBL) president. While declaring illegal sections 28, 29, 30 and 31 of the PCB charter, the court had observed that these sections were unconstitutional and against democratic values.
On May 28, 2013, the court had declared illegal his appointment in its short order after it was challenged by former coach of the army cricket team, Major (retd) Ahmed Nadeem, citing mala fide intentions in the PCB election.
Ashraf, 60, had been PCB chairman since October 2011. On May 8, 2013 Ashraf had become the elected head of the sport body, after winning a four-year term under a new constitution approved earlier last year.
Ashraf was accused of corruption. There had been complaints against the ex-chairman for wasting the board’s money by appointing 68 employees on lucrative packages on the basis of favouritism and nepotism. He had also come under the radar for appointing army officials, who had retired or were close to retirement.
Ashraf rebuffs accusations
Ashraf had refuted the accusations, claiming that a group of people were trying to tarnish his image.
“I’ve enjoyed a clean reputation whether being at PCB or ZTBL,” he had said. “Those who have filed cases against me are the ones who were terminated on corruption charges at ZTBL.
“In my leadership, ZTBL had posted a profit of Rs12 billion, the highest by any bank in 50 years. I also tried to take the PCB to new heights by appointing professionals.”
He had added that out of 68 appointees in his tenure most were ground staff while others were vigilance officials who were the need of the hour.
COMMENTS (89)
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Najam Sethi is a big time sell out. He needs to stop doing a TV show while holding a controversial post. Pick one. Moreover, his independence and credibility have been scarred for good. I use to be a big fan, but the way he conducted himself over the past year shows his true nature.
If any one kick out NS from PM house, that will be a memorable day for pakistanis
Mr. Nawaz,and his government is all about friends and family, at least someone out of the 180 million is getting benefit of PMLN rule.
Its like the best prepaid offer in the town "Friends and Family Package".
For all those who still support PTI "This is how you make a government a real success"
This act is more worst as compared to terrorist attack on SriLankan team.
Just another checkmate by JAHIL League. Expect more in the near future from Jahil league.
@hasan:
Pakistanis only talk and practically they dont want to do anything. Then how come our system will change for good. We are good to shout and swear and thats about it. So Pakistanis bear this problem forever. For the last forty years I have seen the country slowly going down the drain just because of our corrupt and incompetant politicians and our soulless awaam.
@asfandyar khan:
Nawaz Sharif not only sinking Pakistan cricket but the whole Pakistan. He is only looking after his business affairs. That is the reason Banya should not be elected in politics. People of Punjab to blame partially. The other half is to blame the other politicians who accepted the rigged election.
Sethi is being rewarded for holding "free" and "fair" elections in Punjab.
Gift of rigged election by PM Nawaz to Najam Sethi... !
Zakaullah Sb kay against jo white paper Govt. nay issue kia hay wo ilzamat tu Nawaz Govt. per past two tenure may and currently bhee same ilzamat hane Nawaz. Govt. per.
Aapas ke baat and its mentors had fixed up the match long time back[my chiria told me]
Let PM to give him a chance ... When we can give PM 3 chances then why he should'nt... Lets shut our mouth and bear this all for almost 4 more years..
"Chirya" is powerful. He has played his cards. Some corrupt people in committe like Shakeel Shaikh:)
After Mr. 100% we have ------> Mr. 35 Puncture
Bravo !! What a productive country, we are making lovely babies from the reproduction of Dictatorship and Democracy ...
worst and last decision of corrupt government
@Umer: What steps exactly could he have taken against the Big 3 when 8 of the 10 cpuntries voted for their resolution?
In any case what was the principled stand - that Pakistan should get more than its fair share of revenue as was the case under the earlier dispensation rather than a proportional share in line with revenues it generates? Why is such a greedy stand being described as principled? In any case the side that makes a man who was caught biting the ball and jumping on the pitch as the captain is a fine one to talk aout gentleman's game.
Zaka Ashraf should go to courts and get a stay order.
Next news. Ishaq Dar made Chairperson of Dangal (Kushti)
@Nida Alvi: We Insafians support none of the both. Just watch what Nawaz is doing and how he is awarding 35 puntcures.
Dear Najam sahib does the number thirty five sound familiar?
And this is where both the PPP and the PML-N are the same essentially. All that rhetoric of "upholding the law" and respecting the judiciary goes out of the window after this. AN apt reward for the 35-punctures but I have more suggestion for the guileless PML-N leadership sitting at the top: Hamza would make an excellent head coach and maybe the fielding department can be filled in by the very able Sanaullah. Oh my oh my! With the Asia Cup and T20 around the corner, tsk tsk tsk. Thank god, I never voted for these two parties. As long as both of them are here, RIP Pakistani institutions, transparency and good policy-making.
@ seema, @ LightBulb, @ Waseem Sarwar Nice predictions ....... !! NAJAM SETHI goes in the direction where the wind pushes. There can still be another big surprise since Najam Sethi's has already accompolished the assigned task for fixing the punctures in PML(N)’s election victory. The Post Master is now set to please his other Real and Dear ones to achieve his his goal for what he had been struggling (monetory wealth). Please don't get stunned withthe next appointment of MIAN MANSHA as PCB Chief.
God Bless Pakistan
non professional elected a non professional in a professional way
An uthoritative monarch never learns.
Dear ICC, can you please kind to seize the membership of Pakistan ?
Zaka should have resigned himself
The foul cries by PTI trolls in favor of Zardari's personal friend & loyalist, Zaka Ashraf, speaks volumes about the Muk-Mukka between PPP & PTI.
Najam Sethi helped PMLN win election in Punjab - it is payback time now.
Unfortunately, the Court's timing did not work well when Najam Sethi was unceremoniously removed from PCB. Najam Sethi, being an international journalist, has a bigger clout in international politics and was working well to Pakistan's cause against Big3 scandal. It was Sethi who first raised voice in Pakistan against Big3 politics. On the other hand, Zaka Ashraf was a political appointee of Mr Zardari and couldn't even speak english, not to talk about any international clout. The unfortunate & untimely decision to remove Najam Sethi has cost a lot to Pakistan and Pakistani cricket.
"35 punctures" paid off.
So this is it. PM rewards Najam Sethi for his 35-punctures
if this happened in PPP government whole sky would have fallen down that they don't respect Judiciary. Now what when 2 people re-instated by courts have been shown the door. yes courts are only for PPP and are .......s at the door of .....s
PCB chairmanship offered his as a reward of 35 Punctures....
who in the world would take PCB serious if all this circus is happening!
Lottery Man
Imran Khan the most successful cricketer in Pakistan so far and whose political career is on the down-hill would be an ideal choice as PCB chief.
I am waiting for the day when the army's shareef will kick this so called PM shareef in the interest of the country. I pray to Allah that this day come as soon as possible and miseries of Pakistan should end. Ameen
Its high time to gift the post to Najam Sethi for his 35-puncture-favour to Nawaz.
Mr. PM did not have time to meet Ashraf and so Pak lost the case against the Big3. NS, please enough! Either he is trying to reinstate Najam Sethi for his service (35 punctures in 11 May elections).
@Umer: Let's establish that whosoever is criticizing PM are PTI or MQM's followers. Let's not worry about them as women are known for their baseless moaning. Let's enjoy childish comments, they are very few in Pakistan.
By the way, why a newly funded ruling pressure group in KPK sacked ministers and even we never spoke about their rigging in Peshawar, Tank, Abbottabad, Mardan and Swabi? What exempts IK from blames and criticism why just PM of this country? That definitely means we are not an educated nation but bunch of loud-mouth villagers. We moan.
This in-house circus continues for 66 years and Pakistan always blames the world.
Why they want to destroy the future of pakistan cricket. wants to be a cricketer in near future but what they are doing first ICC and now our own PM. What a joke with us.
Can we move on and think of the betterment of the game for a change ....
What a joke with pakistan cricket. Why they are trying to destroy the future of pakistan cricket. Wants to be a cricketer in near future but What they are doing First ICC and now our own PM.
@Gul Mohd.:
Then why did he not take steps against the big three?
We have been doing this 'somebody in and some one else' out for nearly a year how and it is high time that we get a stable administartion in PCB so we can start focussing for a change on action in the field . Pakistan Cricket needs stability and administrators who can get Pakistan cricket to the heights it truly deserves.
never heard of a single positive step taken by PM, he is so insane to be a PM of a country, but still there he stands the PM of Pakistan.
Najam Sethi(NS) is still in the committee. Political dictator Nawaz Sharif(NS) is favoring him. He is bent upon bringing Najam Sethi in the set up. Now I am sure Sethi had played an important role in May 11 elections. By the way who will represent PCB in the ICC meetings? Don't tel me another Sharif...
Sharif loyalists at the helm of things. Najam Sethi being rewarded for fixing the punctures in PML(N)'s election victory
Baseless criticism against Nawaz Sharif. He is patron-in-chief of PCB. He can take these steps. Why criticism?
Reward of taking a principle stand in this so called 'democratic regime'
Again..NS has appointed the clown Najam Sethi as a reward for his 'services' to pmln during election...you can't expect something good from this government..
Amazing,,, Next Breaking News, PM Nawaz Sharif appointed Salman Shehabaz as chairman PCB
I would say this is all because of a person sitting at Islamabad high court. Let Gov do the job. People have selected the Gov for 5 years so let them make the appointments.
There are so many cases pending in the courts so it would be better if Judges concentrate on those cases rather than interferring in day to day activities of Gov.
nawaz sharif is a political dictator, shame on him for harming Pak cricket. will najam sethi be chief again? lol
Mr Sharif has been told so many times not to put his fingers in things which are none of his business. Team work and not follow me policy of the past. The country needs a foreign minister, a sports miniister and several other ministers who are responsible for their portfolios instead of increase in the numbers of advisers for Prime Ministers which will make him vulnerable!
Rex Minor
Zaka Ashraf has done nothing good for Pakistan Cricket. Right step taken by PM.
Najam sethi's puncturing skills never let him down.
Prime Minister can do so and he did it. What is wrong in it? Why cant he use his powers?
Whoever thinks that Maryam Nawaz can be the next PCB chairman ,please move your hands and click recommend. :)
Is it for not supporting BCCI and humiliation PCB got in current ICC meet ???????
When will we become mature? If a prime minister of a country is acting like this then what can you expect from other officials. Yes he has the right to do this but it seems that he has been removed bcz of his connection to PPP. Is this a valid reason to remove anybody from his post????
Mr. PM why??
As the Chairman of ACB said to Najam Shethi about Pakistan cricket? If you chairman changes daily, how can anyone take PCB seriously?
Let's recite "Fateha" for Cricket!
worst from of dictatorship in Pakistan is democracy !!
Need to inject Sethi ... Out leaders don't miss any chance to disgrace this country.
..and PMLN supporters were saying PCB is an independent body nothing to do with PM.
After Zaka's failed diplomacy at the ICC meeting in Singapore, I guess this the best decision by the Patron. He removed Moin Khan unceremoniously and now is his turn....Good to see him going.....
@Qasim: Cricket is a never ending romance for most Pakistanis. I am tired of hallow claims of interest in Hockey and Football in Pakistan when nobody really plays any of the sport at any level as compared to the following in cricket.
Nobody is stopping people from taking interest in these sports. Go and play and don't complain/blame cricket.
Why this is not surprising? And pakistanis expect to be treated equally, phew!
Thanks Democracy you are no different than dictatorship....! welcome 35 puncture..
I feel cricket is problem for nation and it stops us from doing other hard sports. We should focus on Hockey and football in Pakistan.
removed... appealed.... reinstated.... resigned.
Writing has been on the wall since he got reinstated and then citing not given guidance by the PM. Nice work all around - they like to use democracy and rule of law as slogan when it comes to their own vested interests but don't think twice kicking someone else out who just got reinstated by the court of law.... in the meantime pakistan and hte sport can continue with little care/consideration.
Same old stories, PML(N) never learns from past.
hehehehehe typical of Pakistanis
Thank You Mr. Ashraf for standing tall against the #Big3, PM let you down cause he had to run his sugar business with and please Mr.35 Puncture. We wont be surprised if Najam Sethis is appointed as PCB Chief again. Nepotism at its peak!
and the circus continues. Hamza Shahbaz for PCB head???