ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), one of the richest organizations of the country, has had its loans written off according to the latest statement of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP).

The disclosure was made in the Senate on Wednesday by Mr.Umar Ayub Khan, Minister of State for Finance on a written question by PPP Senator Mr. Farhatullah Babar.

It does seem strange that a body whose coffers are almost always overflowing, was prompted to have its debts of Rs 9.426 million written off.

Incidentally, the bank’s president Mr.Ali Raza, is a member of the PCB ad hoc committee.

The list has the name of former PCB chief, Lt. Gen Tauqir Zia in the column of “individual/partners/directors, against the said amount.

The statement of NBP shows written off loans or any other financial relief of Rs 500,000 or above provided during the year ended 2004.