Pak Sports Ministry to now have overriding say in 'scam-hit' PCB affairs

Islamabad, Jan. 5 (ANI): After remaining a mere observer for many years, Pakistan's Sports Ministry has finally secured a decisive role in the Pakistan Cricket Board's policy-making process under the new draft constitution.

Despite some board official's reservation over the issue, the PCB's top brass, led by Chairman Ijaz Butt gave a consensus agreement to the Sports Ministry on all the 16 clauses of the draft constitution.

"Under article 6(2) of the draft constitution, the chairman cricket board can be directed to exercise and perform all such powers and functions as may be necessary for the efficient administration and functioning of the affairs of the PCB," The Dawn quoted Sports Minister Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani as saying after heading the five-hour meeting.

"The Sports Ministry's two recommended nominees, approved by the Patron PCB, President Asif Zardari, will regularly sit in the Executive Council (EC) which was earlier known as the Governing Board," he added.

Highlighting another powerful change agreed by the PCB top brass, Jakhrani said: "The board can constitute committees for tendering of contracts, bidding broadcasts rights of cricket matches/series, acquisition and disposal of moveable/immovable assets. However, a federal government nominee will be part of these committees."

"The PCB can formulate its own financial, administrative, procurement and service (human resource) rules but they need to approved from the Sports Ministry," he added.

Earlier, in the wake of surfacing of financial irregularities in PCB, the Pakistan government was urged to ensure transparency in the financial and administrative affairs of PCB.

The draft constitution would be sent to the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for approval and he would send it back to the ministry, and the ministry would forward the draft constitution to the President. (ANI)