LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will have to overcomepolitical influence in order to hold free and fair elections in the Faisalabad Region.

There are some reports suggesting that three groups headed by Ijaz Farooq, Rana Javed and Chaudhry Anwar are running for the elections, which could not be organised by the PCB on Nov 29 due to a stay order sought by one of the groups.

A new date for the Faisalabad Region elections will be announced after the stay order vacates.

According to one report, some political parties of the country are also using their influence in order to support the groups of their liking, thus creating problems for the PCB in holding the elections in a fair and transparent manner.

Cricket lovers, on the other hand, want the PCB to rid the regions of the people with political backing as it has already badly damaged the game in the region.

The PCB is also considering a proposal to include Mianwali District in Faisalabad Region, to which Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq also belongs.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2014