ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) has called for bringing the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) affairs back under its radar, criticising the caretaker government’s decision to make it part of the Cabinet Division’s working.
The committee members decided to write a letter to the prime minister to put the Board’s matters back under its preview.
Standing Committee’s Chairman Sana Ullah Khan Mastikhel in Tuesday’s meeting held at the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Committee Room said that the committee is the country’s highest forum when it comes to probing sports affairs including that of cricket.
“I am surprised to know that the PCB has been put under Cabinet Division. Since the Standing Committee comprises representatives of people, the PCB is and should be answerable to the committee. We reject the decision to put the PCB’s matters under Cabinet Division.”
“We will write to the prime minister to make the required changes in the earlier decision to ensure that the PCB works under the standing committees preview.”
He added that the PCB is still answerable to the committee.
“Direct PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to appear before the next meeting of Standing Committee to answer the pending questions.”
“Make it compulsory for the PCB to answer every query and furnish all the required information with the committee. The PCB officials are not sacred cows. They are answerable to the people’s representatives.”
Dr Mehreen Raja said that he had pursued one question for almost three years without getting a reasonable answer from the PCB.
The committee also asked Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) officials to be clearer in their approach.
“The total breakup of the annual non-development budget should be submitted with the committee in the next meeting. I would also request the media to share whatever they have with regard to the PSB and federations’ workings so that the sports promotion could be put on the right track.”
Mastikhel was also unhappy with the PSB budget, calling on the concerned authorities to double the amount so that it could be spent on the athletes.
Director General PSB briefed the committee members about their future plans including appointing Election Commission and Tribunal in line with the high court’s ruling.
Khawaja Izharul Hasan was unhappy about not making hockey a national sports priority.
“I would rather recommend making the hockey federation as an independent board where they can lure sponsors to carry out development work.”
He also criticized the Ministry for IPC for failing to implement PM’s directives on reviving departmental sports.
“Not a single department has revived its team and nothing has been done in this regard.”
He also asked the PSB to honour Ramiz Ibrahim as he has won gold medal in international bodybuilding competition. “I hope that none of the government functionaries have ever heard of his name. Our athletes have no future. Neither the PSB nor federations are making any efforts to help improve athletes’ plight.”
