PCB Head Zaka Ashraf Approaches High Court to Save His Position

image-llt3ija3 Zaka Ashraf in the middle of the crisis. (Twitter)

In a bid to retain his position, the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee, Zaka Ashraf has convened an emergency meeting on Sunday, just ahead of his scheduled hearing at the Lahore High Court.

Zaka, who was appointed in June to oversee elections of affiliated units, has taken legal recourse by approaching the High Court to obtain an injunction against any potential decisions from the government and the Election Commission of Pakistan aimed at his removal.

In his plea, Zaka's legal representative argued that his appointment as the chairman of the management committee was sanctioned by Cabinet approval on July 5, 2023. The core responsibility bestowed upon him was to supervise the imminent elections of the board of governors (BOG) and the PCB chairman, as outlined in accordance with the PCB constitution.

Although the PCB has yet to formally announce the meeting, internal sources suggest that all members of the Chief Management Committee (CMC) were informed and called for the meeting.

Notably, the meeting is set to take place in Karachi, just one day prior to the Lahore High Court hearing, during which the PCB has assured the presiding judge of submitting an election timetable for the chairman's post.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination initiated steps to have Zaka  removed from his role as Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, attributing his appointment to political motivations.

In a letter addressed to the Principal Secretary to the caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaarul Haq Kakar, the ministry urged the removal of Zaka Ashraf from his position, along with others similarly appointed based on political considerations.

In addition to Zaka Ashraf, the ministry also sought the removal of Peer Syed  Ahmed Nawaz Shah as chairman of the Federal Land Commission.

It is noteworthy that Zaka, with backing from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), assumed the role of PCB Management Committee Chairman on July 6.

The historical backdrop reveals that the position of the PCB chairman has often been shaped by political alliances, resulting in leadership changes tied to shifts in the political landscape.