PCB rejects Khalid Latif’s claims

KARACHI: The anti-corruption unit of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected the letter from cricketer Khalid Latif and directed him to appear before the ACU of PCB on May 2.  

The PCB's anti-corruption unit has also warned Khalid of the consequences of not appearing on the given date. 

"The PCB Vigilance and Security Department has responded to cricketer Khalid Latif’s letter received on April 24. The Vigilance and Security Department has vehemently rejected the frivolous, baseless and false allegations levelled in the letter," PCB said in a statement on Saturday.

"Regrettably, Khalid’s actions appear to be solely aimed at frustrating and obstructing the ongoing investigations," the statement added.

Khalid, in a letter to PCB on April 24th, had said that he didn't have any trust on PCB anti-corruption head Col Azam and accused him of "improper motives".

In the same letter, the opening batsman had said that he was also planning to file an intra-court appeal on the verdict of LHC on his writ petition against PCB's ACU and the board should postpone proceedings against him.

However, PCB has rejected all his claims and demands and has advised Khalid to appear before further questioning, failure of which would result in further charges against him.

"Khalid had filed a writ petition before the Honourable Lahore High Court and that the same was dismissed in limine. Resultantly there is no legal impediment against PCB in continuing its investigation under the Code," the board said.

"Khalid is again directed to appear before the PCB Vigilance and Security Department for an interview on Tuesday, May 2," said the PCB's statement.

PCB further added that Khalid’s non-appearance at the aforementioned interview may result in further breaches of Articles 2.4.6 and 2.4.7 of the Code.

PCB's anti-corruption code 2.4.6 stats "failing or refusing, without compelling justification, to cooperate with any investigation carried out by the PCB Vigilance and Security Department in relation to possible Corrupt Conduct under this Anti-Corruption Code (by any Participant), including (without limitation) failing to provide accurately and completely any information and/or documentation requested by the PCB Vigilance and Security Department (whether as part of a formal Demand pursuant to Article 4.3 or otherwise) as part of such investigation" 

While the code 2.4.7 says "obstructing or delaying any investigation that may be carried out by the PCB Vigilance and Security Department in relation to possible Corrupt Conduct under this Anti- Corruption Code (by any Participant), including (without limitation) concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and/or that may be evidence of or may lead to the discovery of evidence of Corrupt Conduct under this Anti-Corruption Code