PCB responds to audit paras regarding payments to Najam Sethi, other officials

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has responded to the Auditor General of Pakistan’s observations made during the annual audit regarding the allowances paid to former Management Committee Chair Najam Sethi and three committee members – Aizad Sayed, Haroon Rashid and Shakil Sheikh.

“We acknowledge the auditors’ observations concerning the allowances paid to Najam Sethi and three members of the Management Committee who were working full time without any salaries”, reads the statement issued on Sunday.

The payments were made based on a decision by the government-appointed Management Committee of 11 members and are compliant with PCB bylaws.

The PCB has provided comprehensive documentation and detailed records of the meetings for which these allowances were granted.

The audit report unveiled that over 16 million rupees were spent on unauthorized meetings and daily allowances for members of the PCB’s Board of Governors during the fiscal year 2022-23.

According to the audit report, former PCB Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi was paid over 4.66 million rupees, Shakil Sheikh received 4.26 million rupees, Haroon Rasheed was given 3.5 million rupees, and Aizaz Syed was paid 3.96 million rupees in meetings and daily allowances categories.

The report also noted that only five BOG meetings were held between December 2022 and June 2023.

 The audit highlighted that PCB BOG members are entitled to a daily allowance of 10,000 rupees for travel outside the city, and 300 dollars per day for international travel, with an increased rate of 400 dollars per day for trips to England.

Additionally, each BOG member receives 10,000 rupees per meeting attended.

The significant amounts paid out in allowances, despite limited meetings, suggest a need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of funds.