LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) has disposed of a petition challenging the appointment of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after the petitioner withdrew the case on the court’s advice to seek relief from the appropriate forum.
Justice Awais Khalid heard the petition filed by citizen Ashba Kamran, who questioned the legality of Naqvi’s appointment as PCB chairman.
During the proceedings, counsel for the PCB defended the appointment, arguing that all legal requirements had been fulfilled before Naqvi assumed the position. The lawyer also maintained that the law governing the PCB does not prescribe any specific qualifications for the office of chairman.
The petitioner argued that Naqvi’s appointment violated Article 90 of the Constitution, contending that a senator could not simultaneously hold another executive office. The counsel submitted that Naqvi was appointed PCB chairman on January 20, 2024, and later became a senator and the federal interior minister.
During the hearing, Justice Khalid observed that if the petitioner believed a senator could not hold dual offices, the challenge should instead be directed at Naqvi’s Senate membership.
The court advised the petitioner to withdraw the case and pursue the matter before the competent authority. Following the observation, the petitioner withdrew the plea, and the court disposed of the petition.
The petition had named the prime minister, the Senate chairman and other officials as respondents.
It sought to have the notification appointing Mohsin Naqvi as PCB chairman declared unlawful, arguing that although his appointment as interior minister was made under the Constitution, his simultaneous role as PCB chairman was not legally permissible.
It also alleged that the Senate chairman had failed to act on the issue.
