Pakistan PM Imran Khan Supports Stand To Criminalise Match-Fixing; Offender To Be Jailed

Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has supported the proposal made by PCB chief Ehsan Mani to criminalise match-fixing in the country. In a bid to eradicate match-fixing, Ehsan Mani had called for strong amends in the legislation. Following the guidelines provided by the global governing body, Ehsan Mani said, it is a need to criminalise match-fixing.

Countries like New Zealand, Australia and Sri Lanka have added it to their legislation. In the past, Pakistan cricketers have come under radar for match-fixing. Saleem Malik, Ata-ur-Rehman, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif, Salman Butt, Danish Kaneria, Sharjeel Khan have all been involved in match-fixing scandals and hampered the image of cricket in the country.

Imran Khan supported the draft copy of the new laws: PCB source

“Imran supported the draft copy of the new laws and advised Mani to get it cleared by the Law and other relevant ministries so that it can be tabled in the parliament and become a written law,” the source said.

“The new laws would give the PCB’s Anti-Corruption and security unit the power to not only probe money trails and assets off players/officials/persons but also carry out raids where required and file criminal cases,” the source said.

“Under the new laws, proven offenders will serve jail time plus the board will get powers to probe all assets and money trails of any player it suspects of being involved in corruption,” he added.

The PCB does not has legal authority when it comes to match fixing as of now.