Restored PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf stated that he has never been a part of any controversy and hopes to raise the standards of the game with the right policies. PHOTO: FILE EXPRESS
KARACHI:
After the reinstatement of Zaka Ashraf, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finds itself in a state of limbo. As the judgement by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) was announced, the board sent a media release disclosing their intention to hold elections once the new constitution was approved by the patron of the board, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
For the fifth time since May 2013, the board has seen the reinstatement of a chairman after he was sent packing on legal grounds. Ashraf has now been reinstated for the second time after being removed as the PCB chairman twice.
He was suspended in May 2013 by the IHC after it ruled he had been elected via a dubious process which was carried out during a meeting of the governing body.
However, after a complicated legal process, he was reinstated by the same court on January 15, 2014, before Sharif dismissed him again on February 10, bringing back in his place Najam Sethi.
Ashraf is likely to take over at the helm on Monday, at the same time the Inter-Provincial Coordination Committee (IPC), that brought back Sethi via a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO), is mulling its next move following the IHC ruling.
Draft constitution submitted to federal government
Before the court judgement was made public, the Sethi-led Managing Committee spent a busy day reviewing the new constitution of the body.
According to a media release that was made public shortly after the court judgement, the review process was concluded with the submission of a draft constitution by two former Judges of Supreme Court Justice (retd) Fakir Mohammad Khokhar and Justice (retd) Syed Jamshed Ali Shah.
The draft constitution was subsequently submitted to the federal government for vetting and approval.
The media release also stated that Sethi has written to the Ministry of IPC requesting that a date for the PCB elections may be announced as soon as the new constitution is vetted and the patron approves it.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, a PCB official confirmed that the IPC ministry is expected to approach the Supreme Court next week, and seek a judgement against the reinstatement of Ashraf.
Will make decisions to improve the game: Ashraf
On the other hand, Ashraf has welcomed his reinstatement by the IHC. While speaking to the media after the judgement by Justice Noorul Haq, he claimed that he wants to deliver for the betterment of the game.
“We will continue to make the decisions that will improve the game in the country,” said Ashraf.
Ashraf added that while he would back the appointments made by Sethi on merit, others would be sent packing.
“We will review the appointments and would retain the people who have good cricketing pedigree, the rest would be sent on their way,” added Ashraf.
He further stated that he has never been a part of smear campaigns and controversies and does not believe in mud-slinging either.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 18th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (23)
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A Country without a Strong Nation is at the mercy of any aggressor. we need to be a one NATION , not to do leg pulling of any one , Muhammad Usman
In my observation he is much better than earlier PCB chairman. Inshall Allah our team will success like before and achieve the goal.
Accept the courts decision and let
What a laugh this must be for people outside Pakistan. If any ONE of them had any sincerity to their country they would back out rather than make a mess of Pakistan's image internationally.
Politicization of cricket has devastated the country cricket. The solution of this malady lies somewhere in delinking cricket affairs from the shabby, tattered fabric of our politics which is inadequate enough to hide its own vices & then hand over the gentleman's game affairs to an independent board comprising veteran cricketers to contribute to the growth of game & technocrats to handle the administrative affairs.
I respect najam Sethi for his indiscriminate analysis, but he should never have accpeted a Governmental post.He must bow out immidiately and not make a further mess of the situation.He is bringing bad name to himself and to the Govt. Lets NS deal with the situation or better leave it with an able subordinate and focus on more serious issues.
Zaka Ashraf is much better then previous PCB chairman, under his our Team will grow again and will touch the sky with glory, Insha ALLAH.
It is a game of Tom and jerry. Sorry, not a game but a cartoon.
I am half heartedly trying to manage but the 3 idiots in my team are making a mess out of it.
@Ch. Allah Daad:
Dude, what doesn't let you stay in peace? Let the court do the decision, they must have heard the arguments and for some reason they are the judge, and you sir please dont judge.
Yet another puncture ...
Are they appointing a chairman or a vassal?
@water bottle: Are we managing this country .???
@Mr Allah Daad - all you do is spread PMLN propaganda. Respect the decision of the court and let Mr Ashraf get on with it. He's been brought to the helm by the High Court once again and the goverent should respect the decision of the court and not meddle in this any further.
This is better than the t20 version. Beat that world.
It's a court's decision and we have to respect that. Sethi did wonderful after Pakistan abstained from voting Big 3. Zaka Ashraf made a mess of PCB. Let's hope it doesn't derail the one thing that unites Pakistanis. Also, let's wait for the apex court for the decision.
Do the honourable judges havent anything better to do?
Court "Punctured" Najam Setthi. Its time for Nawaz Sharif to find another way to return repay Najam Sethi and Geo
Supreme Court should refuse to take up the case. PMLN is just wasting the time of the courts. With thousands of cases pending, the superior judiciary can't afford to play Sethi's musical chairs.
@Ch. Allah Daad: I wonder how low one gets to lick the boots of the party leader.
Mr. Zaka Ashraf almost destroyed Pakistan's International cricket, therefore he must not be allowed to resume his duties as Cricket Board Chairman. If he is given authority again, he will complete the task which he was unable to accomplish due to his dismissal.