Pakistan Cricket Board rejects claim army illegally acquired stadium land

KARACHI (AFP) May 27, 2003
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Tuesday rejected an opposition claim that it had illegally handed over a costly piece of land belonging to the Karachi Cricket Stadium to the army for a residential complex.

No wrongdoing had been committed in the matter, PCB chairman Lieutenant General Tauqir Zia said.

"The land was given to the army on the orders of the court," Zia told AFP.

"All the legal formalities have been completed in the matter."

The main opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Monday charged that the stadium's 17 acres of land worth 130 million rupees (2.25 million US dollars) had been given to the army in a "balatant misuse of authority."

"The land has been dished out for the benefit of generals by a general serving as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a most cavalier manner," PPP Senator Enwer Baig said in a statement.

"Those responsible for inflicting such a grievous blow to the image of an honourable institution have committed a crime against the state and society. They must be punished," Baig added.

Denying the allegations, Zia said the PCB would soon issue a detailed statement on the matter.

WAR.WIRE