PCB Lost 198M; “Financial Irregularity Allegations: AG Pakistan Report Highlights Mismanagement”

PCB faces serious financial irregularity charges, including unauthorized payments, illegal hires, and major revenue losses.

Highlights:

• PCB accused of financial irregularities worth millions, including Rs 63.39 million unauthorized payments.
• Illegal appointments and contracts awarded without open competition.
• No chairman held accountable despite repeated audit reports.
• The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finds itself at the center of controversy again, following a report by the Auditor General of Pakistan. The report reveals alarming financial irregularities amounting to millions of rupees, raising serious questions about transparency and accountability within the PCB.

Key Findings from the Auditor General’s Report:

1. Rs 63.39 Million paid to police for meals during international match security—without clear authorization.
2. Unauthorized appointments including three coaches in the U-16 age group at the High-Performance Centre, Karachi, with a total salary package of Rs 5.4 million.
3. Irregular awarding of ticketing contracts without open competition.
4. Overpayment to match officials: Rs 3.8 million reported in excess match fees.
5. Irregular appointment of Director Media at a salary of Rs 900,000 per month, with the entire process—from posting to joining—completed on the same day.
6. Unauthorized payments of Rs 4.17 million to the Chairman for expenses already covered by his government role.

This is not the first time such issues have been highlighted. Despite repeated red flags from AG Pakistan, no chairman has been held accountable. Figures like Najam Sethi and Zaka Ashraf have served multiple tenures without facing formal charges.

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Larger Financial Mismanagement Examples:

• Rs 19.8 Million spent on diesel for bulletproof vehicles.
• Rs 22.5 Million spent on coaster hiring.
• Rs 198 Million loss due to media rights sold below the reserve price.
• USD 99 Million loss from international broadcasting rights given without open competition.
• Non-recovery of sponsorship dues totaling Rs 5.3 billion.

Since Ramiz Raja’s removal in December 2022, the PCB has seen three chairmen: Najam Sethi, Zaka Ashraf, and Mohsin Naqvi. This frequent leadership change has reportedly contributed to policy inconsistencies and financial disorder.

PCB’S Financial Practices

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s financial practices have once again come under scrutiny. While cricket remains a passion in Pakistan, these recurring administrative issues risk damaging the sport’s credibility. Whether real reform will follow or this report will be ignored like those before it remains to be seen.

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