Pak sports ministry raises stink over PCB's central contracts irregularities - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Expressing its reservations over the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) ad-hoc way of doling out funds, the Sports Ministry has asked the apex cricket authority in the country to review the central contracts awarded to the players. According to sources, the ministry is unhappy by the PCB's way of handling its finances and feels that some players were drawing unfair advantage through the contracts. "The biggest objection raised by the ministry is that many players who have been given central contracts are also employed in senior and lucrative positions with other banks and organizations which is against Pakistan service rules," The Nation quoted ministry sources, as saying. Sources said the ministry has taken a strong note of the privileges being given to the players by the board. It has also raised questions over the payment of monthly salaries to the players besides match and tour fees and other bonuses. A ministerial report pointed out that many players like Shoaib Akhtar and Misbah-ul-Haq were not part of the national squad, but were drawing a hefty monthly salary from the board besides receiving handsome packages from their respective organisations. The PCB has awarded its central contracts in three categories to around 25 players. Those in category 'A' receive a monthly salary of 250,000 rupees, those in category 'B' 175,000 rupees and cricketers kept in category 'C' get 100,000 rupees regardless of the fact whether they are playing or not.