March 23, 2002	Saturday	Muharram 8, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, March 22: Justice Ali Nawaz Chowhan of the Lahore High Court (Rawalpindi Bench) has ruled that ad hocism in Islamabad Cricket Association cannot be allowed to continue, therefore it would be proper if elections are organised by the Pakistan Cricket Board within seven weeks.

The judge dismissed the petition of Jawadul Hassan in which he had prayed that the PCB’s decision of appointing an ad hoc body to run ICA affairs be declared void, to allow the dismissed office-bearers to continue working and to restrain the PCB/ICA from interfering with the smooth running of the association.

“It will be proper if the Pakistan Cricket Board arranges for the elections of the new members representing the territory of Islamabad within a period of seven weeks from today,” the judge said.

The judge observed that an ad hoc committee was not expected to remain in that position for an indefinite period. “In this case, as it is seen that the ad hoc committee is functioning since Oct 26, 2000 and the status quo has brought about bickerings which are not at all good for the game of cricket and which itself was taken as a ground for suspension of the membership of the petitioner.”

Justice Chowhan ordered that status quo with respect to the present arrangement be allowed to continue. He said that in matters of finance, the ICA ad hoc committee will however have to seek permission from the PCB chairman before withdrawing any money.