Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan has reportedly written an application to the Capital Development Authority on PCB’s official letterhead and carrying the cricket board’s official stamp to protest the demolition of his son’s kiosk in Islamabad, a private news channel reported on Saturday.
According to the channel, Shaharyar Khan wrote an application to CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal protesting the demolition of his son, Omer Ali Khan’s kiosk in the federal capital.
Several questions were raised regarding the implications of PCB chairman’s action and transparency of the cricket board. Moreover, Khan’s decisions – or lack thereof – also came under scrutiny in the TV programme.
Talking to the channel, former PCB chairman Khalid Mehmood was of the view that in the past no PCB chairman had taken advantage of his position. He said, “Using ones position for personal matter is extremely disappointing.”
The manager of Omer Ali’s restaurant confirmed that a letter was written to CDA.
“We have documents to prove that the restaurant was established with permission from CDA, the letter was written to allow legal kiosk to start functioning again,” he said.
Former cricketer Mohsin Hasan Khan expressed deep shock and disappointment upon hearing the news.
The former Pakistan cricket team coach also criticised the PCB chairman’s statements regarding the Pakistan-India series.
Calling it a ‘fiasco’ and ‘humiliation for the country’, he said, “The developments related to Pak-India series and now Pakistan Super League are cover-up for the corruption and mismanagement in the cricket board.”
Former test cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz termed the letter as misuse of Khan’s official powers. He also raised questions about Khan’s decision to allow Muhammad Amir in the team.
“What will you do when some among spectators are holding placards calling Amir a ‘Pakistani cheat convicted’? You can’t stop media from airing it.”
On the contrary, PCB spokesperson Amjad Bhatti categorically said that the letter was the Board chairman’s personal matter and should not be discussed.
In the past, PCB chairman has repeatedly come under criticism for his wavering stance and changing statements about the Pakistan-India series and Amir’s comeback in the national squad.
