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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja appeared before the Parliamentary Committee for Sports and answered different questions raised by the committee. Raja also talked about his use of bulletproof vehicles. The committee also lauded the PCB Chief for his work and the Pakistan team’s performance.
Raja was asked why he uses a bulletproof vehicle to which the PCB Chief said he uses it over security threats. Responding to questions on the benefits and perks he gets as chairman of the board, Ramiz said he is "not a big financial burden" on the PCB as the former national team captain, among other things, also takes care of his medical expenses.
"Ramiz Raja did tell the committee members at one stage that he only used the bulletproof vehicle of the board because of a security threat otherwise he avoided taking any perks from the PCB," a source aware of the meeting proceedings said.
The source further added that neither anyone in the committee questioned Raja’s future as PCB Chairman nor did anyone ask him why he did not resign after the change in government (as Raja was appointed as PCB Chief on the advice of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan). After clarifying the use of bulletproof vehicles, Raja said that he only utilizes the perks offered to him by the PCB.
"Ramiz Raja made it clear to the committee members in the two-hour long session that he only utilised the daily allowances, hotel and travel expenses allowed to the chairman under service rules,” the source said.
Although the PCB Chief was lauded for his work as the Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, he was asked about Auditor General’s report to which the former skipper responded that it was a government document and available to them at any time. "But the members told him to submit the AG's report himself at the next meeting."
The source said that Ramiz Raja had confirmed that accounts of the board have been audited by the AG's office since 2012-13.