ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) has sought the details of various issues including appointments made by Pakistan Cricket Board’s Interim Management Committee, which is supposed to run day-to-day affairs only.

The Zaka Ashraf-led interim PCB body, which can run only day-to-day affairs, has appointed over 60 officials including eight directors and around 25 consultants on handsome packages. The Ministry of IPC, which oversees the country’s sports sector, through a letter dated Oct 11 sought complete details of all the recruitments made by MC during its three-month tenure.

“Details of the appointments made by MC during the period and the nature of these employments [temporary, contractual or permanent] including national, international coaches for the national team,” read the letter.

It also sought details form MC regarding: “Complete criteria, SOP for selection, nomination of members from regional and department Board of Governors.”

Whereas, the MC was asked to furnish details about the steps taken by it for the formation of Board of Governors leading to the election of PCB chairman; details of total expenditure incurred by the committee, details of the contracts awarded/signed with different entities along with terms and conditions, nature and period of the contracts.

The IPC Ministry also asked for furnishing the details of initiation and closure of pending enquiries against any official or coach during the tenure of MC.

The letter said that the MC was notified on July 5 for four months to run PCB’s day-to-day affairs and with the aim of complete restoration of departmental cricket structure, the nomination of BoG and early election of PCB chairman.

“Since considerable time has been elapsed, it is therefore requested to immediately submit a comprehensive report of undertaken activities so far made by MC [about above mentioned points].”

It is relevant to note here, the recruitment made by MC has already been challenged in the Balochistan High Court (BHC).

Sources said that the said recruitments were challenged in the BHC in contempt proceedings held on Oct 2.

The PCB lawyers sought more time to submit an explanation while the two-member bench ordered the PCB to submit complete details of the appointments, length of employments and pay packages by Oct 16.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2023