ISLAMABAD: The Quaid-i-Azam Inter-provincial Games which were slated to be held from May 5 to 9 have fallen prey to the tug of war between Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC) Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada and the federal government with both hardly being on the same page over suspension of director general of the Pakistan Sport Board (PSB).

The federal government on Wednesday suspended Director General PSB Dr Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera for three months, though no charge was mentioned against the DG in the notification of suspension.

Reliable sources told Dawn on Thursday that IPC Minister Pirzada has decided to opt for postponement of the Games as he is of the view that it won’t be possible for the ministry to hold the Games without a DG.

“How could I hold the Games without having my DG who is removed without bringing the matter to my knowledge despite the fact that I am the relevant minister?” the sources quoted the IPC minister as saying.

According to sources, the minister has also decided not to visit Baku to attend the official ceremony of the Islamic Solidarity Games which are scheduled to be held from May 12 to 22 in Azerbaijan.

The minister, added the sources, has decided to take up the matter of removal of DG PSB with the prime minister and has been making all-out efforts to meet the PM on Friday in this regard.

On the other hand, there are unconfirmed reports that Ganjera was removed over corruption charges, though the suspended DG told Dawn that there was no corruption case against him.

However, the sources pointed out that the picture become clear on Friday as it is expected that the federal government will issue a chargesheet against suspended Ganjera.

The IPC Minister could not be approached for his views on the issue but all relevant PSB and IPC Ministry officials confirmed that the Games have been postponed.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2017