Pakistan Cricket Board Exposed! Audit Finds Possible Corruption Worth Crores
The Auditor General of Pakistan has exposed several financial irregularities in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) running into several millions of rupees, including via illegal appointments, and contracts.
Irregularities mentioned in the report include a payment of 63.39 million (Pakistani) rupees to the police for meals for providing security during international matches and unauthorized appointment of three coaches in the under-16 age group category at the high performance centre in Karachi for a total salary of 5.4 million rupees. It also flags allotment of ticketing contracts without proper competition.
The report further mentions overpayment to match officials in fees to the tune of 3.8 million rupees and irregular appointment of the Director of Media for 900,000 per month.
The PCB has had two different chairmen in the 2023-24 season — Zaka Ashraf from June 2023 to January 2024 and Mohsin Naqvi from February 2024-present.
The report puts direct spotlight on Naqvi, mentioning unauthorized payments of 4.17 million rupees to him from February to June 2024 as payment of utility charges, POL and accommodation. Naqvi was simulataneously holding the office of Interior Minister of Pakistan and all his benefits stood covered under the law.
The AG also cited many examples of money spent without authorisation: from 19.8 million rupees on diesel for bulletproof vehicles to 22.5 million on hiring of coasters, a 198 million loss due to award of media rights at less than reserved price, and irregular award of international broadcasting rights without transparent competition.
Under his tenure, several coaches and captains have been changed, too. Currently, New Zealand's Mike Hesson is leading the charge with Salman Ali Agha, the T20 skipper. The team is undertaking a camp in Karachi before their tour of Bangladesh next month.
Pakistan and Bangladesh will play three T20Is, starting from July 20, to kick off preparations for the next year's T20 World Cup in India.
(With PTI Inputs)
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