ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday served notices to Secretary Sports Board, Patron-in-chief Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Chairman PCB and members Interim Management Committee (IMC) after former PCB chief selector M Ilyas challenged his termination orders.
A single bench of IHC comprising Justice Noor-ul-Haq N Qureshi issued the notices and directed the respondents to submit their reply within a fortnight. Ilyas was appointed as member national selection committee on July 16, 2009 and became chief selector on January 18, 2014 and later he was removed from the service on February 13, 2014.
The former chief selector and a 'ground man' Inayat Ullah not only challenged their terminations but also they sought court's directions to declare illegal the Patron-in-chief's (prime minister) notification/SRO dated February 10, 2014 dissolving PCB's governing board. They also challenged the appointment of Najam Sethi as chairman IMC and the appointment of other IMC members.
In their petition, they made secretary sports board, patron-in-chief/prime minister, ministry of inter-provincial coordination (IPC), PCB, Chairman IMC Najam Aziz Sethi, all members of IMC, Subhan Ahmad chief operating officer (COO) PCB and Alvena Alam manager human resource PCB as respondents. Ilyas contended that he was appointed as member selection committee during the tenure of former chairman PCB Zaka Ashraf. During his tenure Pakistan Cricket team secured many successes and then on January 18, 2014 he became chief selector.
He argued that in his termination letter's para 2 it was mentioned that ‘the competent authority has examined the record and noted that the said letter regarding appointment for the post of chief selector was issued without following due process and in violation of PCB service rules, therefore the same be treated as null & void and without legal effect’. However, the petitioner argued that said contents are stigmatic. He further contended that his termination letter was issued by manager human resource whereas his appointment order was issued by the COO PCB.
Second petitioner Inayat Ullah contended that he was removed without affording an opportunity of hearing.
After hearing the arguments, the court has sought para-wise comments from the respondents within 15 days' time and adjourned in this matter with short date.