PM to discuss PCB chief’s removal with President

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday he would discuss the deteriorating situation of Pakistan cricket with President Asif Ali Zaradar, who is patron-in-chief of the PCB. “I will convey to President Zardari regarding the demand of dismissal of PCB chairman Ijaz Butt,” Gilani replied to reporters who asked him why the government was reluctant in dismissing Ijaz and company despite all his blunders and poor performance. The Prime Minister was talking to reporters after an award distribution ceremony for national sportspersons.

Earlier while speaking during the ceremony, he announced that sports budget will be doubled from the next year and the government was working to enhance the sports facilities. “This government has already enhanced the sports facilities and we are working to further improve the infrastructure for games,” he said. Gilani distributed Rs 5 million, Rs 2 million and Rs 1 million among the gold medal, silver medal and bronze medal winners in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India. Pakistan won five medals at the Commonwealth Games with wrestler Azhar Hussain winning one gold and one silver, wrestler Inam Butt one gold and boxers Muhammad Waseem and Haroon Khan bronze medals at the mega event