Dawn Pakistan's most widely circulated English language newspaper.

Majid Khan denies demand of kickbacks

By our Sports Reporter

09 September 1997


KARACHI, Sept 8: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), for the first time in four days, denied that its three officials had demanded kickbacks while finalising a deal with a multinational insurance company.

``It (the allegation) is not true. I deny that any of my officials demanded commission,'' the chief executive, Majid Khan, said during a function hosted by the domestic cricket sponsors.

``I don't wish to make any further comments,'' he said. But when pressed further, he added: ``The case has been forwarded to the PCB legal adviser who will take up the issue.''

S.M Aslam Khan, General Manager (Development), Adamjee Insurance Company, had alleged that a three-member committee had demanded a 22% commission from the pending claim of Rs 1167,050.

The three-member committee included Waqar Hasan, Asad Aziz and Tahir Memon, all paid officials of the PCB. Aslam had further claimed that when the kickback was refused, the PCB, on the advice of the three-member committee, ended its 12-year-old relationship with Adamjee and hired the services of another multinational insurance company, EFU.

Majid Khan, on the case of Shoaib Akhtar, stated that the case will not go to the disciplinary committee. He said the player has already been penalised by failing to make to the national team for the Sahara Cup. When asked Shoaib Akhtar and Zeeshan Pervaiz had violated the code of conduct on respective tours, why similar actions were not being taken, Majid Khan said: ``Zeeshan had presented forged documents with British High Commission.

``We had initially thought to review the punishment but now we have decided to stick to the two-year ban.''

Majid further said Shoaib Akhtar will be allowed to represent his department and association in the forthcoming domestic season. Shoaib Akhtar was involved in gross indiscipline on the just concluded tour of England. He was accused of regularly visiting night clubs and pubs besides indulging himself in other immoral activities.

Majid refused to conceive the logic that Zeeshan Pervaiz was one of the supporters of his family. ``Was he the only supporter? Who was looking after his family when he was not playing cricket?'' were one of the questions he posed at the reporters.

On the organisation of the one-day international and Test match in Karachi, Majid Khan said everything would be clear by Tuesday. ``There is a possibility that the PCB may organise the matches while another probability is that there may be a joint venture between PCB and the KCCA with the latter responsible for The Management.''


Source: Dawn
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Date-stamped : 25 Feb1998 - 19:04