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Interior minister Rehman Malik told reporters a meeting had been held with a view to seeking repatriation of the guilty players. -File photo
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government on Saturday directed the country's cricket board and its High Commission in the UK to submit a detailed report on a recent spot-fixing case in order to repatriate three jailed cricketers.
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt was handed a 30-month sentence, Mohammad Asif 12, Mohammad Amir six and their agent Mazhar Majeed 32 months respectively for their roles in fixing part of the Lord's Test against England last year.
The government led by president Asif Zardari, who is also a patron of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), is giving the case his full consideration.
Interior minister Rehman Malik told reporters a meeting had been held with a view to seeking repatriation of the guilty players.
“During a high-level meeting president Zardari on Friday directed the PCB to submit a report which should include recommendations on how to avoid a repeat of such incidents,” said Malik.
“The government would consider bringing the three players home. We have also requested Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK, Wajid Shamsul Hassan, to provide necessary legal aid to them and he has been asked to submit a report.”
Malik, who said the players could still be innocent, termed the whole episode “unfortunate.”
“It's unfortunate what happened, the government will form a commission to investigate the matter thoroughly and the players will not be left alone,” said Malik.
In a separate investigation, the International Cricket Council had also banned the three cricketers for a minimum of five years.
Malik added: “Despite their guilty verdicts in both the ICC hearings and the recently concluded criminal trial in London, we cannot rule out the possibility of any of the convicted players being innocent.”
When the spot-fixing scandal surfaced the Pakistan government gave Scotland Yard assurances that the players would return to the UK in the event of criminal proceedings.
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On DawnNews
Comments (48) Closed
Nov 05, 2011 05:08pm
Iam not a fan of Mr. Abdul Rehman Malik but first time his coment made me his fan.
Thank you Mr Abdul Rehman Malik, whatever mistake these three cricketers did but always remmember they are from our country and they are Pakistani.
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Nov 05, 2011 05:34pm
Is this Malik guy stupid, saying the cricketers may be innocent. It is because of people like him that corruption is never going to end in Pakistan. All the evidence show their guilt and he is trying to defend them. UNBELIEVABLE. Only in Pakistan.
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Nov 05, 2011 05:41pm
rehman malik, they are already convicted and jailed. why did u get out of your slumber so late?
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Nov 05, 2011 06:37pm
Does Malik know what he is talking about? Two bodies have proven that these boys have committed crimes, one boy even admitted. Did he say they are innocent? Malik needs a reality check. Stop playing double games and let these boys serve what they deserve. Malik needs to sort out Karachi before even thing about the cricketers. Clear case of corrupt leaders leading the country to corruption!!!!!
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Nov 05, 2011 07:20pm
Which palent does this man Rehman Malick live in. These 3 cricketeres are guilt and have proved this by blaming each other.
This is expected from a corrupt Pakistani Govt.There is a saying all Criminals stick together. Instead of admonishing these corrupt criminals they are still pleading that they cou;ld be innocent.
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Nov 05, 2011 07:49pm
Zardari being the patron says a lot about the whole episode.
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Nov 05, 2011 08:04pm
only Dr.Malik can still think the 3 are innocent although proven guilty not once but twice , oh i forgot it happened in foreign countries where its hard to buy justice
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Nov 05, 2011 08:18pm
Typical Pakistani approach. What can you expect from corrupt leaders. They themselves have come out clean and innocent after pondering and looting tax payer money. It is shame to see them still calling the players innocent. This nation will never believe on accepting guilt and scientific evidence
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Nov 05, 2011 08:33pm
Mr Malik says the players could be innocent did this fool not see the footage done by the NEWS OF THE WORLD. if he wants to take them back to Pakistan great our prisons are full of our own rubbish Mr Malik can have his rubbish back.
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Nov 05, 2011 10:35pm
We Pakistanis have lost all our respect , are ashamed , they guilty have confessed and you ass are saying what you are saying..
You don't even deserve to be the minister of morons..
I now know that we are in hell, because god is punishing the Pakistanis with rulers like this..
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Nov 05, 2011 10:42pm
If Govt will take action before we will not see like this day
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Nov 05, 2011 11:35pm
Was PCB, RM & AZ sleeping for one year? All this has been going on for the last year or more suddenly they now want a commission, want to give legal aid and frenetic diplomatic activity for the convicted trio. God save our nation.We look jokers in the international community.
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Nov 05, 2011 11:51pm
Let start at the top.
The Patronage of Pakistan Cricket is that Corrupt President Mr Zardari. He gave the job as head of PCB to that Buffon Mr Ijaz Butt. Who in turn choose the corrupt greedy criminal Salman Butt as Captain. So all three of these persons are responsible for the humilation and shame to name of Pakistan. They should all be tried in court of Pakistan.
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Nov 06, 2011 01:41am
Pakistanis should ask themselves why is it that Mr Zardari refuses to give up his self claimed position as Patron of Pak Cricket? Why is it that he has now instructed his crooked incompetent crooney to help the convicted Pak cricketers? Could it be that Mr Zardari has his dirty fingers in the gambling syndicate in Pakistan. Could it be that he is the Don of this syndicate?
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Nov 06, 2011 01:49am
We need to sent Malik to UK and put him in the jail with the cricketers, may be we will get some sense out of him then. If we put him in jail he will get plenty of headlines
If Zardari has asked him then he should also join them
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Nov 06, 2011 05:22am
Wow, now the whole world is afraid.
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Nov 06, 2011 05:37am
And here is Pakistan's resident joker.
Unlike in Pakistan, an independent jury heard evidence and decided by majority verdict, that the individuals were guilty. No sifarish or money exchanged hands either to jury or judge, or to court clerk to change the dates of hearing, unlike Pakistan. Both sides had ample time to give their pleas and jury arrived at decision. Guilty !
Now we have our cartoonish interior minister with the permed hair dishing out statements that make want to hang myself. Just what the hell is this statement supposed to mean ?
"..we cannot rule out the possibility of any of the convicted players being innocent."
If I read between the lines what this means is, if the trial had been in Pakistan, all would have been found not guilty, after "agreement" between accused and judge. This would be done in order to "save face", if we have any face left after all the insults and shame that our politicians bring on us.
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Nov 06, 2011 07:17am
I would agree with Mr Malik.
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Nov 06, 2011 10:37am
Never believe what this fake degree (Phd)holder dR. mAliK is saying. He is the biggest criminal of his own and now he is trying to protect three convicted criminals.
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Nov 06, 2011 11:17am
What is this guy smoking.. They are guilty, even a fool can see that , but I guess by calling him a fool I am giving him too much credit. Spend the money helping the flood victims and controlling the economy
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Nov 06, 2011 01:29pm
I suppose in the eyes of Malik and the patron of PCB the players have not committed a crime as their crime is insignificant in terms of crime they commit against the state and people of Pakistan. Crooks will always support crooks. Sooner we lock all of them up and get rid of such people from our society the better, only than can nation of Pakistan move forward.
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Nov 06, 2011 05:23pm
Tottaly expected Rehman Malick a crooney of our corrupt President Mr Zardari. Pakistanis should ask themselves why is that Zardari will not let go of the self claimed post of Patron of Pak Cricket. Why is he now offering help to the three convicted crickters. Remember this is the man who hasd even changed his son name to Bhutto so that he can milk Pakistan for another generation.
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Nov 06, 2011 05:26pm
Look who is talking Rehman Malik and his party TOP Asif Zardari (Peoples party) are the most corrupt people them selves, look what they have done to our beloved country. Those 3 crickets got what they deserve....I wish people party can be charged to for there corruption.
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Nov 06, 2011 05:31pm
Reham Malik and Asif Zardari him self are the most corrupt people, never beleve them. Cricketers got what the deserve...
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Nov 06, 2011 05:37pm
I cannot believe this buffon Rehman Malick.
It is time that Rehman Malick, his boss the Patron of Pak Cricket Mr Zardari and our dirty midget Captain Salman Butt should all be tried for Treason against Pakistan.
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Nov 06, 2011 05:57pm
The PPP government takes the biscuit.
Mr. President and his cronies need a reality check. 10% and doubtful mental health proofs in the British courts and now a doubt about the notion of innocence or guilt, a mind boggling scenario! Sick people ruling a nation of 190 millions.
Is this a sick joke or what?
I feel sorry for the people they are supposed to protect.
Shafiq
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Nov 06, 2011 06:06pm
O'boy.
There is no doubt in anybody's mind after reading the pronouncement. They all belong in a secure mental institution.
The World will be a lot safer with them out of the way.
Shafiq
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Nov 06, 2011 06:14pm
You people do not get it. Jardari/malik wants to look helpful to at least salman butt. They want them back since Butt can try to cut a deal under appeal/ he can testify against and reveal that PCBs folks are also involved to the extent making money from betting knowing the captain is their man.
Butt has been fighting since PCB has been supporting though UK High Commission. He may be deeper trouble now. if more money is thrown at Butt that means PCB wants him to not cut a deal.
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Nov 06, 2011 06:41pm
I just heard that the next BATMAN movie is going to be based in Pakistan and not Gotham. Zardari with that grin is going to play the Joker. Rehman Malik coming out with duplicitous statements like above is going to play the Riddler. Salman Butt is the midget with an umberlla and mobile phone in hand is going to play the Penguin. And the man who is going to kick all these villians to jail is going to be our own Batman played by Imran Khan.
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Nov 06, 2011 06:42pm
This guy does not believe in thinking before speaking
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Nov 06, 2011 06:47pm
"How much cut did PCB, RM, AZ, etc. get from the fixing money?" I ask.
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Nov 06, 2011 08:57pm
How come people at helm at Pakistan are having such mentality in common..? Pity and sad to see this.. Would't it be nice for RM to keep distance from the trio and leave the matter to judicial system ?
Such a garbage all over...
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Nov 06, 2011 11:38pm
What a comment - what more can we expect from your leaders. if we had the same judicial system as in the UK, half the population and all most all our Leaders & politicians in pakistan would be locked up. Imagine how peaceful our Pakistan can be ... (ameen)
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Nov 07, 2011 12:14am
i also agree
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Nov 07, 2011 12:58am
The pakistan administrators should hang their heads in shame as this match fixing has been going on well before 1999, i am refering to this Match: Bangladesh v Pakistan at Northampton - May 31, 1999 Bangladesh 223/9 (50 ov); Pakistan 161 (44.3/49 ov)
Bangladesh won by 62 runs. Two members of the squad were openly telling people to put their money on Bangladesh a few days before the match was played. This was reported to the board by Sarfraz Nawaz and others but nothing was done.
Guess what the same two memebers were in UK with the touring party one as a player and one as a coach so what else do you expect. The coach is still with the team so whats to say this type of thing will not happen again. The sooner we get rid of corrupt players and corrupt administrators we will have a team of honest players who have been selected on MERIT and who will play for their country and not the MONEY!!!
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Nov 07, 2011 01:03am
Come on u corrupt buffoon,its ppl like u and zardari and many others ,that have made these cricketers corrupt,coz u ppl r corrupt and these cricketers fink its rright to be corrupt ,sort ur backyard ,stop corruption in Pakistan.full stop.and try to get respactable name in the world.don't embarass the pakistani's living in UK and elsewhere .sort urself out u corrupt .
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Nov 07, 2011 01:51am
It will be great to have at least one statement issued by the High Commissioner of Pakistan at this point of time. He used to issue statements after statements denying all wrong doing by the players. Where is he now?
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Nov 07, 2011 02:21am
Just because they are Pakistani they have to be innocent. A strange conclusion! I am glad that the players were tried in the UK and not in a court in Pakistan.
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Nov 07, 2011 06:08am
what a befitting response, Mr. A. Khan, surely if this proceedings were held in Pakistan, these Cricketers would go scot free, nation's honour is at stake they would say.
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Nov 07, 2011 07:31am
The day on which the players proven guilty and punished was goodday for Pkistan instead of blck day.While entire nation were praying for victory of Pakistan,those three punished were playing their own game for money.The main culprit is steel at large.Pakistani will now sweet some victory for their pray,but how long can not be said.
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Nov 07, 2011 10:04am
Very well said, "crooks will always support crooks"
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Nov 08, 2011 12:50am
Today my little brother came home from school in London crying because he had to fight other boys for being taunted about disgraced name of Pakistan Cricket. I had to make better the bruises he suffered. This is all due to you Salman Butt.
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Nov 08, 2011 02:09am
To prevent a repeat of such incident they should be given better training on how to get around match/spot fixing.
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Nov 08, 2011 08:10am
Amir has already pleaded guilty and apologized to the nation. Salman Butt has been judged guilty unanaimously by a jury consisting of 9 people. In Asif's case there was no clear evidence but we know that he can be guilty as well. Now why does RM make such a stupid statement? Yes to repatriate them and have the sentence carried oout in a Pakistani jail makes sense. But to say that they may be innocent is stupid!!!
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Nov 08, 2011 11:58pm
Give it up, for god's sake.
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Nov 09, 2011 11:51am
I find people in this dear country of mine to be pretty nonsensical at times. Where is the justice served when tons of players from other cricketing nations have not been jailed at all, even after admittance in case of South Africa? Australians and Indians just make the news disappear. Only Pakistan has the right to punish its players (sort of ambassadors) to keep the country free from being stigmatized and show to the world that we believe in justice ourselves rather than relying on other countries to do it for us. This is plain diplomatic failure of ours. For those who think justice couldn't have been done by the crooks here, I sugeest you stop voting "crookly" for crooks and bring Imran Khan onto the scene this time.
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Nov 10, 2011 09:45am
Pakistani Govt: is facing too much problems due to the action that was taken place by our Crickter...... Govt: should take some major steps against fixer as other don't follow the same action in future.......
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Nov 12, 2011 09:03am
He does not believe in thinking at all. Does he?
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