The Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) sent a summary to the Prime Minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, on Friday to sought the latter’s opinion on the future of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman, Zaka Ashraf.
According to sources, the Premier is likely to share his opinion on the matter later today.
Ashraf-led committee was appointed in July for a period of four months and their tenure will end tomorrow.
It must be noted that Ashraf is facing allegations of flagrant misdoings and unconstitutional decisions from a member of his own management committee as his tenure nears an end.
However, there is uncertainty surrounding its continuation, with the management committee member's charges indicating growing concern and dissatisfaction with Ashraf's leadership, both within and outside the organisation.
Zulfiqar Malik, a member of the management committee, has raised these allegations in an email addressed to Ashraf and the management committee.
As per ESPNcricinfo, in an email to the Prime Minister's Office and the Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) ministry, Malik has accused Zaka Ashraf and the administration of:
- Failing its legal, prescribed mandate, which was to manage only the board's daily affairs and not make long-term decisions
- Ignoring directives from the IPC to hold board elections so that the interim set-up finishes, and a chairman is appointed
- Failing to provide his degree certificate, which is a prerequisite for becoming a PCB chairman
- Allowing his son Chaudhry Khan Mohammad to meddle informally in board matters
- Misusing the office of the PCB election commissioner to carry out political victimisation of opponents and running rigged elections in regions
"I have noted some flagrant misdoings and unconstitutional decisions by management that I wish to bring on record," Malik wrote.
He further stated that the email is an attempt "to absolve myself from the unconstitutional decisions and wrongdoings which have taken place over the period of time without consultation or approval of most members".
"[But] this MC led by Mr Zaka Ashraf has not confined itself to day to day affairs and has taken many long term decisions which violate the mandate given to this MC," Malik added.
"The appointment of Chief Selector (Inzamam ul Haq, who has now resigned) for three years on hefty Rs 2.5 million pm (per month), appointment of several Directors, Consultants, officials, Scrutiny and other Committees, approval of various projects and budget, huge expenses on different heads, hiring of legal counsels on exorbitant rates and removal or sidelining some key officials fall in the categories of long term decisions in violation of the clear cut mandate of the MC."
"Turning deaf ears on IPC Ministry's directives… for holding Chairman election was the most serious violation that Zaka Ashraf and this MC committed".
Meanwhile, in response to Malik's allegations, the PCB said, "Every decision is taken according to the constitution. Any and all decisions have been taken to ensure day-to-day operations of the PCB continue unencumbered."
Ayaz Akbar Yousafzai Ayaz Akbar Yousafzai is a senior reporter for Geo News.