ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) is set to resume hearing of a petition challenging the appointment of Mohsin Naqvi as the chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday.

The case will be heard by acting Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfaraz Dogar.

The petition questions the legality and transparency of Mr Naqvi’s appointment, which has stirred debate in both political and cricketing circles. The last hearing was held on March 5, 2024, during which the court had issued notices to the relevant parties for their responses.

Mr Naqvi, the incumbent interior minister, who also served as the caretaker chief minister of Punjab, was appointed the PCB chairman earlier last year, raising concerns over a possible conflict of interest and the due process followed in his selection.

The counsel for the petitioner had submitted that the caretaker prime minister was not authorised to appoint the PCB chief. This authority rests with the elected prime minister, he added.

The caretaker prime minister Anwarul Haq Kakar had approved the appointment of Mr Naqvi as the PCB chairman and he took charge of his post on Jan 22, 2024.

It may be mentioned that a single-member bench of IHC earlier this month had ruled that the caretaker PM lacks authority of hiring and firing on key positions.

IHC Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri while striking down denotification of the president and vice president of Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC) by the caretaker government ruled that it “has no mandate of public support” and its powers are strictly limited to “day-to-day affairs.” Making major appointments or removals like these falls outside its constitutional and legal authority.

The judgement reiterated that caretaker governments cannot exercise powers reserved for elected governments, particularly regarding significant appointments, removals or policy changes.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2025