PCB boss Butt irks Sports Ministry by directly approaching Zardari on cricket issues

ISLAMABAD - The Sports Ministry of Pakistan is irked with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt for bypassing it and directly writing a letter to President Asif Ali Zardari, seeking ‘free hand to deal with the menace’ plaguing cricket in the country.

In the letter, Butt had sought Zardari’s approval in making necessary changes in the PCB setup according to the measures recommended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) during its meeting at Dubai.

“The letter that has been sent directly to the president is aimed at seeking his approval to make necessary changes in the PCB set up in order to implement ICC recommendations,” The News quoted a source in the presidency, as saying.

“Ijaz Butt is expected to meet the President in ten days time now after his session with the ICC,” he added.

Butt had also requested more power be given to him to take serious decisions.

“I want your approval sir as political pressure may bar the PCB to take corrective measures as recommended by the ICC. I need free hand to deal with the menace,” Butt reportedly wrote in the letter.

However, this action of Butt has not gone down well with the Ministry of Sports, which was bypassed as the letter was written directly to Zardari, who is also the PCB Patron.

“The PCB had to go through the Ministry as was required by the constitution. Since the Ministry acts as custodian to sports and is answerable to all acts of the PCB in the parliament, it should be taken in confidence before writing such a letter,” said an official of the board, expressing concern over Butt’s direct approach to the president. (ANI)