ISLAMABAD: In the special audit report on the first two editions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Auditor General of Pakistan pointed out massive irregularities that resulted in the loss of millions of rupees.

The audit report of the year 2017-18 highlighted irregular payments to franchises, irregular advance payment to vendors, non-recovery of due from franchise, TA/DA to journalists and the members of Board of Governors.

The report, which was presented before the National Assembly on Monday stated that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had to face a loss of for Rs 248.615 million due to irregular payments to franchises in excess of agreed share of central pool.

According to audit report, PCB also faced loss due to irregular award of compensation to the PSL franchises of Rs 54.490 million while unjustified auction of franchise caused loss of US$11 million. The report also revealed that PCB did not recover amounts due from franchises worth Rs32.050 million. The report said that there was irregular excess expenditure on production of PSL-II Final without proper estimation of Rs18.880 million.

It also said that PCB made unauthorised and unlawful transfer of PSL funds of Rs145.148 million into third party bank accounts outside Pakistan. The report also pointed out that PCB faced loss of Rs13 million due to non auction of commercial broadcast rights.

It said that PCB also did wasteful expenditure of Rs12.646 million on account of TA/DA of journalists and Rs2.772 million on TA/DA and accommodation charges of members of BOG. The report also pointed out, irregular and non transparent award of franchise rights resulted in loss of US $ 57 million while irregular award of contract for Pakistan media rights to M/S Blitz is a loss of US$8.650 million. The auditors also revealed that PCB made irregular expenditure of Rs126 million on marking campaign of PSL.

In its key findings, the audit report highlighted 39 paras. Though, PCB in its reply to auditors tried to justify its position, the auditors rejected their replies made the irregularities part of the audit report.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2019