KARACHI: The recent statement of Inter-Provincial Coordination Minister Ehsan Mazari has started a new debate on the nomination of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman.
Mazari, a lawmaker belonging to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the current PDM-led government, has publicly expressed his desire to appoint Zaka Ashraf as the PCB chairman. Zaka was also the chairman of PCB earlier.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is understood to have backed Najam Sethi to continue in the role.
“When we formed this government, we had to understand that the party heading the relevant ministries would appoint its men in the departments under the ministries,” Ehsan Mazari said recently. I said
However, it will not be easy for the PPP to “appoint” its own man as PCB chairman.
The constitution of PCB is very clear regarding the election of the chairman.
Para 6 of the PCB Constitution states: “The Board shall have a Chairman elected by the Board of Governors for a term of three years in accordance with paragraph 7. The Chairman shall be eligible for re-election for a further term of three years. Year provided that the term of office of an individual as Chairman shall not in any case exceed six years.
In addition, Para 7 of the PCB Constitution outlines the process of electing the Chairman of the PCB by stating that “a special meeting of the Board of Governors shall be convened to elect the Chairman from among the members of the Board of Governors. to, be elected by a total majority. Voting membership of the Board of Governors.”
The PCB’s Board of Governors consists of four members from regional associations, four from service industries and two members nominated by PCB’s Patron-in-Chief.
The representative of the IPC Ministry is appointed to the PCB BoG as an “ex-officio member” who has no voting rights.
Therefore, the PCB constitution is clear on how to elect the Chairman PCB and who can nominate people to the BoG to be the Chairman.
If the PPP is determined to keep its man, Ashraf, in this case, it will have to convince Prime Minister Shehbaz to nominate the patron’s representative to the PCB. There is no other way for them.
According to the ICC’s Memorandum of Association, each member, including Pakistan, must conduct its affairs autonomously and ensure that its governance, regulation and/or administration of cricket (or other public bodies) or semi-public body) should not interfere. The country of the game (including operational matters, in the selection and management of teams, and the appointment of coaches or support personnel).
Any breach of this obligation may lead to suspension of the member from the ICC.
It is important for political forces to understand that sports bodies everywhere are autonomous and direct government interference in their day-to-day affairs or governance can be a serious violation.
Be it cricket, football or hockey, politicians should keep sports out of their game.
