ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Monday directed the concerned authorities to hold fair and efficient elections of the Pakistan Cricket Board Management Committee. He directed for the restoration work on Bugti Stadium Quetta and Arbab Niaz Stadium Peshawar for national and international cricket.
The Prime Minister said this while chairing an important meeting regarding the affairs of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) here in Islamabad on Monday. The meeting was also attended by PCB Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf.
While talking to participants, PM Kakar said that the game of cricket played a crucial role in uniting the entire nation and encouraging national spirit. He said that the game should be promoted in remote areas of the country, including Baluchistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, newly merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu, and Kashmir, as they also deserved to get a chance to represent the country at the national level.
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of fair appointments regarding trainers, support staff, and other officials in the PCB who could better represent the country.
PM Directs for Restoration of Stadiums Including Quetta, Peshawar
Meanwhile, he directed the concerned authorities on the quick restoration work of Bugti Stadium Quetta and Arbab Niaz Stadium Peshawar to make these venues feasible for national and international cricket matches. He further said that Gwadar Cricket Stadium and Pisan Stadium in the Nagar area of Gilgit-Baltistan can be made capable of holding cricket matches.
The Prime Minister also directed the PCB to conduct an immediate survey of Pisan Stadium in District Nagar, adding that work should be initiated on an emergency basis for the rehabilitation of the existing cricket stadiums on modern lines along with the provision of modern facilities according to international standards including quality hotels and shopping areas.
Kakar also directed the authorities to transfer 4 cricket grounds in Islamabad from CDA to PCB to develop and promote cricket.
The Prime Minister directed the officials to come up with a comprehensive strategy to organize the matches of the Pakistan Super League across the country. He added that Pakistan is required to work to promote all possible cooperation with friendly countries in the field of cricket.
Earlier, officials of the PCB briefed the meeting about the ongoing cricket activities and challenges, including the Pakistan Super League that would be held in February 2024. The league matches will be held in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Multan. During the meeting, it was told that Pakistan would also host the Cricket Champions Trophy.
The briefing informed that the number of cricket associations in the country has been enhanced from 6 to 16, which would explore the regional talent. The officials also informed that construction of cricket infrastructure was underway in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Gujranwala, and Bahawalpur. Meanwhile, National Stadium Karachi, Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, and Multan Stadium have been converted to solar energy. The officials also informed about the measures being taken for the promotion of women’s cricket in Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Privatization Fawad Hasan Fawad, Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board Muhammad Zaka Ashraf, Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Operating Officer (COO) Salman Naseer, Chief Selector Wahab Riaz and other senior officials. Muhammad Hafeez, Umar Gul, and Saeed Ajmal attended the meeting via video link from Australia.
