Zaka-led PCB Management Committee given three-month extension

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, the Caretaker Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the patron of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has approved a three-month extension for the PCB Management Committee, led by Zaka Ashraf. Originally, the committee's term was scheduled to conclude on November 5.

The extension was sanctioned by the federal cabinet in accordance with Rule 16(j) of the Rules of Business, 1973, and Article 48 of the PCB Constitution, 2014. A notification issued by the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) confirmed the approval of the extension.

The 10-member Management Committee is only allowed to carry out the key responsibility of concluding the formation of the board of governance (BoG) and facilitating the election of the PCB chairman promptly.

Furthermore, as per the notification, the Management Committee's role is restricted to handling the daily operations of PCB and it is explicitly prohibited from making policy decisions or significant appointments. Furthermore, the Management Committee is not eligible for an extension beyond three months, as specified in the notification.

Zaka Ashraf-led PCB Management Committee was formed in July 2023 for a four-month period, and the Caretaker Prime Minister, using his prerogative, has given a three-month extension.

Notably, allegations of ‘misdoings and unconstitutional decision-making’ have been leveled against Ashraf by a member of his own management committee, Zulfiqar Malik. Malik conveyed these accusations through an email addressed to Ashraf and the management committee.