January 06, 2009	Tuesday	Muharram 08, 1430

ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: Proposed amendments in the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) constitution regarding curtailment of the board chairman’s powers are likely to be finalised by the first week of February.

The constitution sub-committee, which met here at the Federal Sports Ministry on Monday under the chairmanship of Federal Law Minister Farooq H. Naek, has asked the provinces to submit their suggestions before Jan 15.

The constitution committee was formed last year in September by the Sports Ministry in consultation with the law ministry after some cricketing circles severely criticised the vast dictatorial powers of PCB chairman and the plight of powerless regional cricket associations.

Talking to reporters after the constitutional sub-committee meeting, Farooq H Naek said: “We have asked all the stake holders, including the provinces, to submit their suggestions for the amendments in the draft constitution.

“We just want to assure that the final draft must be a democratic and consultative one,” he said. Naek informed that the last meeting of the sub-committee will be held on Jan 23.

He further added that the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt and president of a regional cricket association Shakil Sheikh submitted their suggestions to the committee. However, the Law Ministry official later said that the draft constitution would be finalised by the first week of February.

Meanwhile, Ijaz, in his brief statement, asserted that the Pakistan-Sri Lanka cricket series would be held according to the schedule. “The tour is very much on,” he said.

When asked whether the players would be allowed to participate in the IPL, Ijaz remarked: “Let the time come and then we will decide on it.”

About the fate of the ICL players, Ijaz remarked that ICC’s decision on the issue was very much there and the rebel league was not recognised by the world cricket governing body.

Meanwhile, Federal Sports Minister Pir Aftab Shah Jilani said that all the sports are under the umbrella of the Sports Ministry.

“All the sports federations, including the cricket board, are under the ministry according to the 1962 sports development ordinance,” he said. He clarified that sports ministry was not interfering in the internal affairs of any sports federation.

Pir Aftab Shah Jiliani, Secretary Sports Ashraf Khan, Coordinator Razaullah Khan, Ijaz Butt, PCB Chief Operating Officer Saleem Altaf and Shakil Sheikh also attended the meeting.