LAHORE: Punjab police denied having any specific list of 10 influential bookies allegedly running betting and match-fixing racket in the Punjab as reported by a private TV channel.

A report aired by the channel alleges that 10 influential people were involved in running a match-fixing racket. These people, according to the channel, operate their networks from remote areas of the province, earning billions from match-fixing during international cricket series and tournaments.

The report further says it has become a challenge for the interior minister to nab these influential people. A close relative of a top Punjab government official was also named in the report.

However, Deputy Inspector General (Operation) Dr Haider Ashraf told Dawn that though lists of bookies were often prepared by police based on information gathered through different sources but they had no specific list comprising 10 influential bookies operating in Punjab.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2017