KARACHI, March 15 Pakistan Hockey Federation's (PHF) efforts of saving its Secretary Asif Bajwa from negative publicity went in vain when Mirza Imtiaz Baig, a former federation employee, held a demonstration along with his mother, sister, wife and little children outside the Hockey Club of Pakistan (HCP) on Monday.

The former PHF accountant demanded the federation pay his dues of Rs17,4500.

“Last year, I was sacked after baseless allegations hurled at me by the PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa. Now he is not releasing my dues,” he cried in front of the members of media gathered there.

“I am a family man with little children. I don't even have money to pay their school fees. I am drowning in debt trying to make ends meet. What did I do to deserve this after 20 years of service,” he protested.

The former accountant had spent amounts of Rs94,500 and Rs80,000 from his own pocket on two separate occasions when the PHF was running short of cash to meet the hockey club expenditures of utility bills, construction, etc. He had been assured that he would be reimbursed for it, which he is still waiting for besides his own dues, which the PHF owes him.

“The PHF was directed by the Prime Minister's Secretariat to pay me my dues on Sept 29, 2009, but to no avail,” he pointed out.

“Tell me what do I do? I give a week's time to the PHF to release my dues or else I will be left with no other option but to send my children to the Edhi Centre,” he stated. “I just can't support my family anymore,” he added sobbing.

Imtiaz Baig has also sued Asif Bajwa in the Sindh High Court claiming Rs34.68 million in damages for sacking him illegally.

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