JournalismPakistan.com | Published June 25, 2013 | Rizwan Ali
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: Najam Sethi's appointment as acting chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board was unconstitutional, a top official of Transparency International Pakistan said Tuesday.
Sethi's appointment by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday was "against all norms of transparency and merit" because in the board's constitution only board members can replace the chairman, TIP chairman Sohail Muzaffar said.
Sharif also asked the new acting chairman to represent Pakistan in the annual board meeting of the International Cricket Council in London this week.
Last month, the PCB elected Zaka Ashraf as its new chairman for a four-year tenure. However, Ashraf's election was challenged in the Islamabad High Court by a former cricket official from Rawalpindi and the judge ordered the government to replace Ashraf and appoint an acting chairman.
According to the PCB's new constitution, which was also approved by the ICC, if the office of the chairman is vacant for any reason other than his death or resignation, "the board of governors may elect and appoint an acting chairman from amongst its members, who may only have limited powers during the absence or till the appointment of the chairman."
But Sharif ignored that when he stepped in.
The ICC wants all cricket boards around the world to run their affairs on democratic lines and free from government interference.
Sethi is a prominent journalist and also served as caretaker chief minister of Punjab province during the interim government before the general elections in May.
He took charge on Monday and said he believed his appointment was in accordance with the new constitution.
He also said he has no plans to "play a long innings" and would go home once he attends the ICC meeting, gives approval of the team for next month's tour of West Indies, and conducts fair and transparent elections for chairman.
But TIP said Sethi has no experience of cricket and also alleged he has not paid rupees 10.6 million ($100,000) to the Federal Board of Revenue on undisclosed income in 2009.
Syed Adil Gilanithe, a TIP advisor, said that over the last 15 years Pakistan cricket had been "mismanaged by chairmen not having any experience of cricket, or were closely related to ministers ... at this point of time Pakistan cricket needs a person of spotless integrity."
TIP said it forwarded Lord Woolf's report to the previous two chairmen of the PCB and asked them "to adopt its recommendations of prioritizing good governance, anti-corruption and ethics in the affairs of PCB, which unfortunately were not adhered to by both of them, to enhance transparency in their tenures."
TIP also said that unless the government reviews its decision, the Supreme Court will have to step in to reverse Sethi's appointment.- AP
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.