PCB elections: Former chairman Shaharyar favourite to regain post

Justice Sair named chief election commissioner and interim head.

KARACHI:

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan is likely to return to power after he was named in the new Governing Board (GB), replacing Iqbal Umar who was one of the two special nominees for the top post.

The government issued a notification on Monday, effectively ending outgoing chairman Najam Sethi’s Management Committee (MC) and replacing it with the GB which comprises a chairman, four members of regions and departments and special nominees. Last year’s top four departmental and regional first-class teams will have representation in the new board.

Article 2 (d) of the notification issued read, “Two members nominated by the patron in his discretion are (i) Najam Sethi (ii) Shaharyar Khan.”

Shaharyar was a part of the MC, which was formed to run the day-to-day affairs of the PCB and conduct the elections; however, the latter objective failed to see light due to court proceedings related to the board. However, the tussle between former chairman Zaka Ashraf and Sethi for the PCB crown was put to rest by the Supreme Court.

‘Shaharyar nominated with PM’s backing’

With Sethi already declaring he would not contest the new elections, Shaharyar becomes a strong candidate for the seat with Prime Minister (PM) and patron-in-chief Nawaz Sharif’s backing.

“Shaharyar is a reliable candidate and has been working closely working with PM Sharif on backdoor diplomacy with India, which is why he has been named as special nominee,” an official close to the PM told The Express Tribune.

“He is likely to become the new PCB chairman in the upcoming elections. The good thing about the decision is that Shaharyar has been part of the MC for a year, so he knows about the current situation and workings of the board.”

The official further added that most of the important decisions had already been made in Sethi’s tenure, including the induction of new a team management, formation of senior and junior selection committees, approval of the constitution, resolving PCB’s overstaffing crisis, new domestic cricket structure and formation of a committee for Pakistan Super League.

Justice Sair named election commissioner

The government also nominated Justice (retd) Sair Ali as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) with immediate effect as per the requirement laid down in Part IV of PCB’s constitution.Sair will work as the caretaker chairman until the completion of the elections.

“As per article 7(2) of the new PCB constitution, the election commissioner shall take over as acting PCB chairman and shall ensure conduct of elections within 30 days from the date of assumption of office,” read the notification.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2014.

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