Under what law was cricket team rewarded, PM Secretariat asked

[Shafi]

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday sought comments from the Prime Minister’s Secretariat regarding a petition filed against the announcement of a reward of Rs10 million each for players on the Pakistan cricket team for winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.

Hearing the petition filed by advocate Tariq Asad, IHC Justice Aamer Farooq issued a notice to the principal secretary to the prime minister with directions to explain the law under which the premier could announce such awards.

The petitioner has adopted before the court that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has sanctioned Rs215 million in rewards for the cricket team for winning the Champions Trophy against India in England.

The petitioner has said that as per the notification of June 21, 15 players of the cricket team will receive Rs10 million, while each of the 13 members of the team management will be given Rs5 million when they already receive a monthly salary as regular employees.

He has maintained that the team deserves tribute for winning the trophy but the distribution of public funds in an extravagant manner is neither in public interest nor is it in accordance with the law.

He said players and squad members get sufficient match money, funds from other resources, salaries and benefits for playing first class cricket for various departments and have contracts with the Pakistan Cricket Board, making their normal income “over and above a 22-grade officer”.

“Such a huge amount may be utilised for public welfare,” he stated, adding that if the money has to be spent on sports or cricket, then the best way is to give these funds to the 16 regions at the grass roots level where players cannot even buy essential accessories for playing the game. He has requested the court to set aside the June 21 order and that the funds may be utilised to provide basic amenities to common people.

Though the petitioner also requested the court to stay the reward giving ceremony, the premier had already handed over the prize to the cricket team by the time the court order was issued.

Arguing before the court on Tuesday, the federal government’s counsel, deputy attorney general Raja Khalid Mehmood said Article 78 to 87 of the Constitution were related to the budget, grants and supplementary grants allowing the prime minister to announce cash awards among other grants. He added that the funds allocated for the Prime Minister’s Office could also be utilised in such situations.

Mr Mehmood said the General Financial Rules also allow the executive authority to use discretionary funds to an extent which can be reasonably justifiable.

After issuing notice to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the court adjourned the hearing till a date to be fixed by the registrar office.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2017


Source::::: https://www.dawn.com/news/1343316/u...t-team-rewarded-pm-secretariat-asked#comments

 

[Shafi]

These extravagant expenses happen when there is no liability of these selfish politicians' actions. Our players already get huge amount of money compared to general people. Winning a tournament is a huge achievement but our players are paid to perform.

 

[srh]

The law is called "Baap Ka Maal" and has been repeatedly used since the first dictatorship of Ayub Khan

 

[Savak]

Nah, Pakistani people and public should stop being jealous and indulging in leg pulling tactics. The players deserve all the riches coming there way. Don't Jealous.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Nah, Pakistani people and public should stop being jealous and indulging in leg pulling tactics. The players deserve all the riches coming there way. Don't Jealous.

I agree. Yesterday I was at the gym and this ceremony was on tv and a bunch of oldies walking on their treadmills were really burning

 

[shariqnoor]

I have no problems in cricketers getting some monetary benefits for big victories but for a government to disburse RS 215 million from public funds is too much. The primary role of the government is to provide for its citizens via education, healthcare and security. Pakistan does not have enough money to be doling out freebies. Rs 215 million is an amount that should've been used to address the dearth of hospitals in rural areas. Our priorities are a mess. If this Rs 215 million was announced by private entities, then it would've been fine, but coming from the government out of the public kitty is bad. And before anyone points it out, to challenge this amount is not jealousy. May Allah give our people more. But in a country where people are starving to death and dying because they either cannot reach the hospital as its too far away or cannot afford the treatment cost, we are throwing away money on useless things.

 

[Billy1999]

They did just win the champions trophy

 

[Buffet]

Was it the cricket board distributing money or government ?

 

[emranabbas]

Govenment

 

[emranabbas]

Works out each person living in Pakistan as contributed approximately 1200 rupees towards the reward to the players and management in my opinion no harm done they won us the champions trophy they lit up Pakistan they have put smiles on people's faces the happiness the celebrations are not worth more then money

 

[3rdWheel]

I don't mind the government giving such amount to the players but this also shows that they have funds that they can use for public support eg. Edhi foundation will benefit a lot if 10 millions were thrown their way

 

[Abdullah719]

Questions raised over Pakistan chief cricket selector Inzamam-ul-Haq's 10 million cash award

KARACHI: Questions are being raised in Pakistan cricket circle on the logic behind awarding 10 million rupees to chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq for Pakistan's victorious Champions Trophy campaign.

The rest of the selectors including Tauseef Ahmed, Wasim Haider and Wajahatullah Wasti were given one million each at the Prime Minister's reception held for the Champions Trophy winning squad in Islamabad on Tuesday.

"It makes no sense to give the chief selector such a huge amount while the head coach and other coaching staff have got five million rupees each for the Champions Trophy win," former chief selector, Iqbal Qasim said.

"Then why this disparity between the money given to the chief selector and other selectors," he questioned.

Another former chief selector and ex-head coach, Mohsin Hasan Khan said he could not fathom how the head coach who was part and parcel of the campaign in England could be given five million and the chief selector who did not even travel to England double the amount.

"And when have chief selector's ever been rewarded with cash prizes if the team has done well. The same money could have been used for better development purposes," he said.

Interestingly, sources within the PCB told PTI that an influential person in Lahore who is close to Inzamam had used his connections to convince the Pakistan Cricket Board and PM's office to reduce the amount being given to some officials of the Pakistan team and distribute the amount among the selectors.

"Initially the list/notification by the PM's office had said while the players would get 10 million each and the head coach and coaches 5 million each but later it was decided to reduce the amount for some members of the team staff including the media manager, social media manager, phsyio, masseur etc and the same amount was utilized for rewarding the selectors," the source said.

He said obviously the Board employees who were with the team in England were not happy with their prizes being reduced by more than half but kept quiet.

The criticism has also come because Inzamam gets a monthly salary of 1.2 million the rest of the selectors around 0.3 million from the PCB.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/spo...am-ul-haqs-10-million-cash-award-1625098.html

 

[Mainul]

Brilliant response from Pakistan high court.Players don't deserve such huge prize money even if they win not only world cup but an universe cup (if there were any). Other professional sectors and individuals are also contributing heavily to the nation like doctors,engineers,scientists,agriculturalists.Does they get any such rewards? So why players?Their duty is to play for the nation and give their 100 percent.They are paid a handsome salary for that.

 

[A.A.Z]

Inzamam hits back at critics on cash-award row

Pakistan’s chairman of selection committee Inzamam-ul-Haq on Saturday slammed critics who questioned the decision of the government to award him Rs. 10 million for the Champions Trophy triumph.

The questions raised by former players is due to the gulf in the incentive received by Inzamam compared to his colleagues in the selection committee. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave the special Rs. 10 million cash prize to Inzamam and a million each to his fellow selectors at a reception held for the Champions Trophy winning squad in Islamabad earlier this week.

“We didn’t ask to be given these awards. But it is disappointing, it is being made into an issue for no rhyme or reason,” an angry Inzamam said. “The selectors should be given credit for their work. Teams picked by this selection committee drew Test series in England last year, won a series in the West Indies for the first time in 70 years and now also lifted the Champions Trophy,” he added.

Inzamam reminded critics that it was his committee that suggested Sarfraz Ahmed be made captain. “It was the selection committee which had suggested to the cricket board to make Sarfraz the captain of the national one-day side,” he added.

A former chief selector Mohsin Khan had advised Inzamam to combine the amount given to him and selectors and distribute it equally among the selection committee. “There is no justification for giving such a huge amount to the chief selector. It makes no sense; he is getting double the amount given to head coach, Mickey Arthur,” Mohsin said.

http://www.sportstarlive.com/cricke...critics-on-cash-award-row/article19239125.ece

 

[super hitter]

THe point is, he should've given his personal wealth instead of giving PEOPLES MONEY.

Those bunch of crores could've done wonders to the poor.

However, nothing wrong with the players taking it, off course you'll take it if you're being given a crore as a reward.

 

[BDwarriors]

Even ptv staff got money.....people are spending money as if they will never win any trophy ever. Should spend money for domestic structure.

 

[TQ89]

Inzamam hits back at critics on cash-award row

Pakistan’s chairman of selection committee Inzamam-ul-Haq on Saturday slammed critics who questioned the decision of the government to award him Rs. 10 million for the Champions Trophy triumph.

The questions raised by former players is due to the gulf in the incentive received by Inzamam compared to his colleagues in the selection committee. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave the special Rs. 10 million cash prize to Inzamam and a million each to his fellow selectors at a reception held for the Champions Trophy winning squad in Islamabad earlier this week.

“We didn’t ask to be given these awards. But it is disappointing, it is being made into an issue for no rhyme or reason,” an angry Inzamam said. “The selectors should be given credit for their work. Teams picked by this selection committee drew Test series in England last year, won a series in the West Indies for the first time in 70 years and now also lifted the Champions Trophy,” he added.

Inzamam reminded critics that it was his committee that suggested Sarfraz Ahmed be made captain. “It was the selection committee which had suggested to the cricket board to make Sarfraz the captain of the national one-day side,” he added.

A former chief selector Mohsin Khan had advised Inzamam to combine the amount given to him and selectors and distribute it equally among the selection committee. “There is no justification for giving such a huge amount to the chief selector. It makes no sense; he is getting double the amount given to head coach, Mickey Arthur,” Mohsin said.

http://www.sportstarlive.com/cricke...critics-on-cash-award-row/article19239125.ece

This reminds me of the quote "Success has many fathers but failure is an orphan"

 

[squarecut]

We are told that PCB is financially self sufficient. Ideally, players should have been awarded from PCB coffers. Let Mr Shahariar Khan explain why PCB cannot reward Pakistani players from its earnings.

Indian players, who are afraid of playing Pakistan (in the words of Shahariar Khan) get rewarded by BCCI, and not by Government of India, if any rewards are to be given to them.

 

[Savak]

Under the performance law. Jealous loosers should mind their own business

 

[ShadabFakhar]

Does make one wonder about priorities.

Pakistan isn't a country that can give monetary gifts surplus to requirements. If it could, then where has that money been hiding for health care, education, etc?

Obviously beneficiaries like Inzimam are going to defend the decision but it's a sport after all. Had this money been privately financed, no problem. But because it's public money it should be held to scrutiny as to how and where it's spent. Can't wait for the day dynasty politics is done away with.

 

[waleed88]

We are told that PCB is financially self sufficient. Ideally, players should have been awarded from PCB coffers. Let Mr Shahariar Khan explain why PCB cannot reward Pakistani players from its earnings.

Indian players, who are afraid of playing Pakistan (in the words of Shahariar Khan) get rewarded by BCCI, and not by Government of India, if any rewards are to be given to them.

Deliberate tactics by the government to associate themselves with the winning team, maybe it looks good in front of the people... more votes for Nawaz.

Their policy is shameless and they still can't get over gloating about CPEC

 

[Sherlock]

No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it.

Tells you all really.

 

[MightyObnoxious]

The PM has a discretionary fund of a few billions. He can spend it anyway he likes. Stop being jelous.