New PCB constitution to curb power of chairman Nasim Ashraf

Lahore, Oct 8 (UNI) Pakistan cricket Board (PCB) will have a new constitution which will considerably reduce the power and the role of its chairman.

This was disclosed here today by new chairman Nasim Ashraf who also said today that he has not been given any specified time frame for his tenure by Board patron President Prevez Musharraf.

In an interview to the Voice of America (VOA), Dr Nasim Ashraf said, ''As Chairman PCB, one serves at the pleasure of the Patron of PCB who is President of Pakistan. The Patron has not specified any time frame for my tenure while former chairman Shaharyar Khan was appointed on a three-year contract, However, we will be giving the proposed new constitution to President Musharraf in 45 days, then it will be up to him who he appoints as new chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board.'' When confronted with the claims made by the former chairman that the proposed constitution had already been sent to President Musharraf about a year ago so why send new constitution in 45 days, Dr Ashraf replied, ''No, the constitution draft was sent to President Musharraf about six months or a year ago, but more inputs have been coming in from the stake holders that is why I want another New Constitution Draft sent to the President in 45 days.

That should be the final draft.'' Asked if being Chairman of the National Commission for Human Development (CNCHD) in Government of Pakistan, he will be able to devote the time required for cricket, Dr Ashraf said, ''The CNCHD is a full time job but I am of the view that once the Professional management system is put in place in PCB , I would like to see the Chairman PCB's role and power reduced to minimum.'' The new PCB Chairman further said, ''To promote cricket in Pakistan, we need to bring good governance, corporate management, transparency and I want to see a proper and comprehensive plan in place for youngsters at academies through talent hunting.'' When asked if good governance, corporate management and transparency were not happening under previous chairman Shaharyar Khan while he was also member of the same Ad-hoc committee, Dr Ashraf said, ''Well, I would not say they were not happening, these were being done at a slower pace but I want to see these things happen at a much faster pace.'' UNI XC HSB PM RS1838