ISLAMABAD: The federal government withdrew on Friday its petition challenging the reinstatement by a high court of Mohammad Zaka Ashraf as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Asma Jahangir, representing the inter-provincial coordination ministry, withdrew the appeal after a two-judge Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Saqib Nisar asked why the apex court should interfere in such matters when the executive had the authority to decide about the future of the PCB chairman under the law without prejudice to the Jan 14 verdict of the Islamabad High Court. “The high court order cannot obstruct the federal government from using powers in any matter,” it observed.

The IHC had set aside the government’s statutory order of appointing TV anchor and columnist Najam Sethi acting chairman of the PCB.

The PCB’s board of governors had appointed Mr Ashraf its chairman on May 8 last year. It was challenged in the IHC by retired Major Ahmad Nadeem Sadal. The high court had on May 28 restrained Mr Ashraf from performing his duty and ordered the government to appoint an acting chairman which resulted in the appointment of Mr Sethi.

Ms Jahangir argued that because of the high court order the government was scared of taking decisions and alleged that the incumbent chairman, whose term was about to end sometimes this year, had extended his tenure for another four years.

Afnan Karim Kundi, representing Mr Ashraf, argued that International Cricket Council rules restricted the governments from interfering in the affairs of the autonomous body — PCB.

He requested the court to stop the government from exercising any authority with mala fide intention.

The petition had sought a restraining order against Mr Ashraf. It expressed fear of extreme damage and harm to the PCB under his chairmanship.

The petition alleged that even before the government received a detailed judgement of the IHC, Mr Ashraf took control of the PCB and started a process of vendetta through arbitrary hiring and firing, thus unleashing a chaotic situation in the board.