New chairman: Hurdles cleared for Ashraf’s PCB appointment

There were doubts surrounding Ashraf’s appointment soon after the decision was made to name him as Butt’s successor.

KARACHI:

President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday approved the appointment of Zaka Ashraf as Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that the appointment will take place with effect the day Ashraf relinquishes charge as Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) president.

There were doubts surrounding Ashraf’s appointment soon after the decision was made to name him as Ijaz Butt’s successor, with a Supreme Court case against the former Pakistan Sugar Mills Association chairman reportedly stopping him from taking office. However, officials in the presidency have confirmed that Ashraf’s appointment will go ahead as planned, once his successor at ZTBL has been named.

Ashraf was given a year-long extension on his ZTBL tenure on September 28, 2011 after successfully completing three years. Butt ended his term last week, revealing that he turned down an offer from President Zardari to continue for another six to seven months. (ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP)

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14^th, 2011.