Butt's letter to Zardari irks Pak Sports Ministry

Karachi:

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt again found himself at the centre of another storm, this time for writing a letter directly to the chief patron of the PCB, President Asif Ali Zardari seeking more powers and authority.

According to details, the move by Butt to write directly to the President has irked the Ministry of Sports.

A report in 'The News' daily today said that Butt has sought more powers and blessings to implement International Cricket Council's (ICC) recommendations in letter and spirit.

"In a letter addressed directly to the President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday, Butt has sought his approval in making necessary changes in the PCB set-up," the report said.

"The letter that has been sent directly to the President and is aimed at seeking his approval to make necessary changes in the PCB set up in order to implement ICC recommendations," the newspaper quoted a source in the Presidency as saying.

In the letter, Butt has requested more powers 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," the newspaper quoted the letter.

The actions of Butt though have not gone down well with the Ministry of Sports, which was bypassed.

The Ministry has expressed concern over PCB's direct approach.

"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," a Board official, when contacted, said.

But PCB clarified that in the report, certain facts too were twisted to sensationalise a standard operating procedure.

"It may be noted for the record that in all correspondence between Chairman PCB and Patron PCB a proper procedure is followed. All communications are conveyed through this laid out process and no direct communication is made," a statement said.

But interestingly there was no clarification on whether the letter was sent with the consent and knowledge of the Ministry of Sports.

Sources also said that Butt will meet with the President in the next 10 days to brief him about the ICC recommendations and his interaction with the ICC in a teleconference on Saturday.