AGP highlights irregularities in PCB's appointments

The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has pointed out irregularities in appointments in Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), inefficiency of management, non-recovery of receivables as well as loss of its land due to illegal occupation, which caused billions of rupees loss to national exchequer.

The AGP in its report 'Audit Year 2017-18, Special Study Report on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ministry of Provincial Coordination' highlighted some financial management's issues relating to the governance and accountability aspects.

The Directorate General Audit (federal government), sub-office Lahore, conducted special audit of the PCB in August-September 2017. The audit was planned to be conducted for the period July 2012 to June 2017, but due to non-availability of record and non-finalization of accounts for the financial year 2016-17, the audit activity was restricted to the accounts of financial years 2012-13 to 2015-16. The objective was to examine whether or not PCB was performing its functions according to the laid down rules and procedures. The audit was conducted in accordance with the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI).

According to the report, some key audit points include that appointments were made in non-transparent manner as management did not specify the recruitment criteria like qualification, experience, age limit, etc, in PCB employees' service rules.

The PCB management hired the services of senior vice president ATBL on deputation basis with effect from 23.12.2011. The officer was posted as director (coordinator) in PCB. Audit observed that the officer retired on superannuation on December 18, 2012 after availing LPR for 180 days while he was on deputation with PCB. Appointment was made without open competition. Audit was of the view that re-employment of the officer without open competition was irregular.

Management of the PCB hired services of director general Public Relations Punjab (BS-19) on deputation against the post of director media coordination and implementation in PCB. Audit observed that Rs 412,906 per month salary of the officer was fixed in grade-D without consultation with the lending government. Key performance indicators and key result areas had not been prepared for granting market based salary as required under the government of Punjab's deputation policy.