Following the directives of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) in a note to the prime minister's principal secretary has sought the premier’s advice on the appointment of Zaka Ashraf at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Citing an ECP notification, issued earlier this month, the IPC Ministry informed the Prime Minister House that the electoral body had ordered the “termination” of the services of all heads of institutions appointed on a political basis.
In its “note”, the ministry has asked the PM House to consider and issue “appropriate orders” on the appointment of PCB's Management Committee (MC) chairman Zaka Ashraf.
This indicates that Ashraf might be removed as PCB head and has given credence to the idea that a new name could emerge for the position.
Earlier in July, Ashraf was named the head of a new MC which was formed following the wish of PPP's leadership as per then-IPC Minister Ehsan Mazari.
Ashraf replaced Najam Sethi, former MC chairman, who already withdrew from the chairmanship's race.
It must be noted here that the Pakistan team is currently playing an ODI series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka. Before the first match, Ashraf met with Pakistani players and backed them ahead of Asia Cup and ICC World Cup to be held in India later this year.
Pakistan players' central contracts matter is also unsolved as of yet. The contracts expired on June 30 this year.
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.