Pak Senate to issue notice to PCB chief for inappropriate remarks

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s Senate Committee on Privileges is due to issue a show cause notice to PCB chairman Ijaz Butt next week for making inappropriate remarks about some senators who are members of the Senate Standing Committee on Sports.

“Yes the Senate Committee on Privileges has decided to issue a show cause notice to Ijaz to appear before the committee next week,” Senator Tahir Mashadi, who heads the committee and is also a member of the Sports Standing Committee, said on Tuesday.

“Ijaz has to come before us and explain his remarks in which he blamed some senators for trying to pressurise the PCB into clearing dues of the contractor who constructed the new enclosure at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore,” he said.

The Daily Times quoted Mashadi as saying that the PCB chairman would be given a fair opportunity to defend himself and if the committee was not satisfied it would move a privilege motion against the PCB chief in the Senate’s next session.

Mashadi also confirmed that the Senate Standing Committee on sports would be visiting the PCB headquarters at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday to inspect the financial, administrative and other matters of the board.

“Our members who are on a sub-committee will go to the PCB offices to investigate certain issues.”

The senator said the Senate Sports Committee was aware of the growing criticism over the team’s performances and the problems in Pakistan cricket, the paper reports.

“We are keeping an eye on everything and Ijaz and the PCB will have to explain many things,” Mashadi said.

Interestingly, Ijaz who is back home after a long stay in England is again due to leave for the United Kingdom next week. Ijaz’s tenure as PCB chief ends in October this year. (ANI)