PCB spending millions on Officials' travelling

Karachi, Dec 9: The joyrides of some of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials is costing the establishment millions, investigations reveal. The officials have been travelling in Business Class (Rs 12,000 return ticket), drawing a daily allowance of Rs 1,500, staying at a five-star hotel (@ Rs 2,800) and using rented automobiles (@ Rs 3,000).

Ironcially, the Pakistan cricket team, because of which the PCB is rich enough to afford these pleasure trips, travels in Economy Class and neither the captain nor the coach are entitled to use a rented car.

The simple calculation in the backdrop of above breakup is six-night trip of Karachi of each individual costs the PCB Rs 43,000. There are a dozen officials here, including an official of general manager scale who was present at all the venues and is said to have made Rs 100,000 in dailies only.

These perks are besides the handsome salaries the officials get. General manager, domestic cricket operations, is drawing a salary of Rs 45,000. He is also entitled to 200 litres of petrol, a car and a cellular phone.

Interestingly, there are around 15 officials in the PCB Lahore secretariate drawing equal or more salaries, benefits and perks.

With the PCB investing huge amounts to improve the working of day-to-day affairs of the institution, the eventual result is depressing and disappointing.

The draws of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy are revised almost every week. Initially, the Trophy was to run during Ramazan before it was given a rest after the intervention of the PCB chief Lt Gen Tauqir Zia.

The one-day series between England and Pakistan series was marred by poor planning, riots, gate-crashing and clashes between valid ticket holders and law enforcing agencies. No less than 35 people were injured and public property damaged during the third match at Rawalpindi on Oct 30.