Najam sethi. PHOTO: FILE
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) acting chairman Najam Sethi to hold elections within the board in 90 days.
Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, while hearing a petition challenging Sethi’s appointment as acting chairman, directed Sethi to continue working as acting chairman until the elections.
Earlier on July 1, 2013, the court had issued a notice to Sethi and sought his reply regarding the petition. Sethi was asked by the court how he was appointed to the post when the prime minister had shortlisted three other individuals.
The incumbent chairman said that since all the three nominees had political connections the prime minister wanted him (Sethi) to take charge of the cricket board.
He told the court that since the prime minister had expressed confidence in him he was determined to take practical steps for the betterment of Pakistan cricket.
Justice Siddiqui observed that politics had infected cricket as favourite officials with political connections were usually appointed.
“Everyone in this country is deeply involved with the sport, but unfortunately politics has destroyed it,” the court observed.
The court disposed of the petition against Sethi’s appointment and appreciated his role as the caretaker chief minister of Punjab.
The court also directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to assist PCB in this regard.
On June 22, 2013 the government had appointed Sethi as interim chairman PCB after Justice Siddiqui had directed the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination to appoint an acting chairman of the cricket board
Advocate Tariq Asad, the petitioner’s counsel had earlier argued that the government had appointed Najam Sethi in violation of the PCB rules. He had maintained that Sethi was a political appointee as he had served as the interim chief minister of Punjab.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2013.
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