LAHORE: A letter of the Ministry of Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC), issued on the instructions of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday, to several government departments including the Pakistan Cricket Board caused confusion as it needs clarity as far as the PCB is concerned in restoring departmental cricket, which was suspended in 2019 on the instructions of then PM Imran Khan.

The said letter issued by the IPC ministry after receiving Shahbaz’s instructions asked all the government departments to continue financing their sports departments as the previous order issued by then PM Imran on 2.9.2021 is suspended.

However PCB’s case, unlike other sports bodies, is quite different as here departments have to bear all expenses in building and fielding their teams in the national-level cricket events like the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, National One-day Cup and T20 Cups and therefore they do not put any financial burden on the PCB, under its 2014 Constitution.

Moreover, departmental cricket was not suspended in the wake of then PM’s order issued on 2.9.2021, instead it was abolished when the new PCB constitution, which replaced the 2014 Constitution, was implemented by the federal government on Aug 19, 2019.

On the other hand, other departments like Wapda, Railways, Sui Southern Gas Company, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, ZTBL and KRL have to field their teams in national-level tournaments with their own financial resources.

The PCB, which only provides a platform for departmental cricket in national tournaments, has no such duties.

In order to restore departmental cricket, PM Shahbaz as PCB patron-in-chief has to bring in a new constitution. The game’s organisers across the country have been demanding restoration of PCB’s constitution of 2014 which can automatically restore departmental cricket.

A significant number of cricketers lost their jobs when the PCB disaffiliated all the departments to bring in provincial-level cricket on Aug 19, 2019.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

WITH terrorist attacks surging, resulting in high casualties amongst both civilians and security personnel, it is...
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

FORMER first lady Bushra Bibi’s video address to PTI followers has triggered a firestorm. Her assertion implying...
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...