KARACHI, May 29: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been under ad hoc management for the last six years and there are no signs of a democratic set up in near future despite the ad hoc chairman’s promise made in May 2004 to end ad hocism within three, four months.

“I know I am myself an ad hoc appointment, but I am against ad hocism. It will end within three, four months,” this assurance was given by PCB ad hoc chairman, Mr. Shaharyar M. Khan in ‘Dawn Dialogue’ published on May 9, 2004.

Shaharyar also declared in that interview: “You may doubt my words if I tell you that I am going to do it in two or three months.”

The PCB has been operating under an ad hoc system since July 17, 1999 when a serving general, Tauqir Zia, was installed as chairman of the board. He was replaced by Shaharyar in December 2003. Just for the record Tauqir Zia never promised to do away with ad hocism.

The present ad hoc board has been in place for more than 30 months, yet there is no indication that ad hocism will end in the immediate future.

It appears the present board, mostly run by retired bureaucrats, who are in no hurry for change fully aware that they are likely to lose their high-profile and lucrative jobs under democratically managed PCB.

The present board’s ad hoc chairman has been blaming the new draft of PCB’s constitution as the delaying factor in ending ad hocism. For the past six years various reasons have been put forward for the implementation of the new constitution, a ploy always employed to prolong one’s tenure.

Ironically it was Shaharyar who criticised Tauqir Zia, whom he replaced, for not implementing constitution, in the ‘Dawn Dialogue’. “We are starting off PCB constitution which has certain shortcomings that need to be rectified.

“We are forming a small commission to look at the existing constitution as well as at the revised constitution that Tauqir Zia had on his plate, but which he did not implement.”

It is also a well-rehearsed practice in our country for those taking charge always blame their predecessor for all the ills. Shaharyar is no exception.

The manner in which the present ad hoc board is handling the constitution process shows the ad hoc chairman is in no hurry to implement it as no one in Pakistan leaves lucrative assignments gracefully and the same goes with Shaharyar and his hand-picked officials.

Imran Khan, country’s greatest-ever cricketer, too has been vocal against the continued ad hocism, declaring it to be the major impediment behind the team’s inconsistent performance.