Senate body threatens move against Mani over continuous absence

ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) have threaten to move privilege motion against Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani for his continuous absence despite repeated reminders.

The meeting, which started with Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar in chair, was adjourned due to absence of PCB chairman as well as Minister for IPC Dr Fahmida Mirza. “Ehsan Mani is not turning up to present PCB case continuously. On the last three occasions he has failed to attend the meeting and seems more interested in trying to get support of senators to justify his absence,” Committee chairman Sardar Yaqoob, said.

Senators present on the occasion were furious at PCB chairman’s continuous absence and demanded that Sardar Yaqoob should move Privilege motion for his continuous absence.

“The matter will be forwarded to the Privilege Committee in case Ehsan Mani remains absence from the next meeting. We are issuing him summon for his personal appearance in the next committee meeting to be held soon,” Sardar Yaqoob, said

Senator M Usman Khan Kakar also criticised his absence saying PCB Chairman should have kept attending the meeting as his top priority. “This is the fourth occasion that PCB Chairman did not turn up. It is a matter of grave concern. Chairman of the committee should take strong notice of this,” he said.

Ameer Hamza, a PCB representative who attended the meeting attributed Ehsan Mani absence to Bangladesh team arrival. “Bangladesh cricket team is due to arrive today and he is busy there. Ehsan Mani wanted to attend the meeting and to brief senators on cricket developments. We know that the committee meeting is of big importance for us.”

PTI Senator Faisal Javed opined that a leading PCB official should have been here to brief the committee regarding changes in domestic cricket. The Committee’s opposition party members also came hard on Dr Fahmida’s continuous absence, saying that she turned up only once in the meeting. “Government is not serious neither its Ministers take committee’s working seriously. IPC Minister should have given committee its due weightage.” Sardar Yaqoob said he had received a call from Minister saying she was suffering from flu.

Other item including Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) restructuring did not come under discussion as all the agenda points were deferred for the next meeting. IPC officials including Dr Pervez, Aif Ibrahim, Fayyazul Haq and Azam Dar (PSB) were also present on the occasion.