Controversy: PCB chairman Ashraf’s reinstatement challenged
Govt files appeal in apex court against IHC’s January 15 order.
Zaka Ashraf. PHOTO: TARIQ HASSAN
ISLAMABAD:
Challenging Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) January 15 order for restoration of Zaka Ashraf as chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the government on Thursday requested the apex court to stop him from taking part in the affairs of the PCB.
The government said that even before it received the IHC’s January 15 detailed judgment, Zaka Ashraf had taken physical control of the PCB.
“Since then respondent 1 (Zaka Ashraf) has started a process of vendetta through arbitrary hiring and firing so much so that amongst the casualties was also the longstanding legal adviser of the PCB, who cautioned against any premature action. A chaotic situation has been unleashed by the respondent no1,” the petition said.
It added that Ashraf had already initiated the process for the removal of the PCB arbitrators/adjudicators, who were all former judges of superior courts.
“Respondent no 1 is… taking undue advantage of the fact that the PCB constitution does not have any provision with regard to passing a No Confidence motion against the chairman in a situation where the chairman becomes destructive to the institution,” it alleged.
Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination moved the petition through Barrister Asma Jahangir under Article 185 (3) of the Constitution for leave to appeal against the IHC division bench’s verdict.
The petition further said the government had amended the PCB constitution, through an SRO issued on October 14, 2013. Afterwards, an Interim Management Committee (IMC) comprising five members was appointed and they unanimously elected Najam Sethi as chairman of that committee, it said.
“Since then the IMC had been managing the affairs of the PCB. Further the earlier SRO dated Oct 14, 2013 was further extended for a period of 90 days on January 10, 2014 and the said SRO is still in field,” said the petition.
The petition contended that the SRO (1) October 14, 2013, which had so far not been declared as illegal or without lawful authority, be recognised as the valid and legal instrument in appointing the management of the PCB, especially as it has also been extended through notification dated January 10, 2014.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2014.
Challenging Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) January 15 order for restoration of Zaka Ashraf as chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the government on Thursday requested the apex court to stop him from taking part in the affairs of the PCB.
The government said that even before it received the IHC’s January 15 detailed judgment, Zaka Ashraf had taken physical control of the PCB.
“Since then respondent 1 (Zaka Ashraf) has started a process of vendetta through arbitrary hiring and firing so much so that amongst the casualties was also the longstanding legal adviser of the PCB, who cautioned against any premature action. A chaotic situation has been unleashed by the respondent no1,” the petition said.
It added that Ashraf had already initiated the process for the removal of the PCB arbitrators/adjudicators, who were all former judges of superior courts.
“Respondent no 1 is… taking undue advantage of the fact that the PCB constitution does not have any provision with regard to passing a No Confidence motion against the chairman in a situation where the chairman becomes destructive to the institution,” it alleged.
Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination moved the petition through Barrister Asma Jahangir under Article 185 (3) of the Constitution for leave to appeal against the IHC division bench’s verdict.
The petition further said the government had amended the PCB constitution, through an SRO issued on October 14, 2013. Afterwards, an Interim Management Committee (IMC) comprising five members was appointed and they unanimously elected Najam Sethi as chairman of that committee, it said.
“Since then the IMC had been managing the affairs of the PCB. Further the earlier SRO dated Oct 14, 2013 was further extended for a period of 90 days on January 10, 2014 and the said SRO is still in field,” said the petition.
The petition contended that the SRO (1) October 14, 2013, which had so far not been declared as illegal or without lawful authority, be recognised as the valid and legal instrument in appointing the management of the PCB, especially as it has also been extended through notification dated January 10, 2014.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2014.