LHC declares PCB’s decision to annul ICA elections illegal; reinstates Shakeel Sheikh as president
LHC declares PCB’s decision to annul ICA elections illegal; reinstates Shakeel Sheikh as president
Islamabad: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has declared the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to annul the elections of the Islamabad Cricket Association (ICA) as illegal.
The court ruled that no electoral process can be set aside merely on the basis of allegations, nor can the rights of elected officials be compromised without providing them a fair hearing.
Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal Waince of the LHC accepted the constitutional petition filed by the petitioner, Shakeel Ahmed Sheikh, and issued a detailed 32-page written judgment.
The court set aside the decision rendered by the PCB Adjudicator on May 27, 2025, and ordered the immediate reinstatement of Shakeel Ahmed Sheikh as the President of the Islamabad Cricket Association.
The court observed in its judgment that the PCB Adjudicator failed to fulfill essential legal requirements and principles of natural justice, as the stances and evidence of the concerned parties were not fully heard.
The Adjudicator announced the decision regarding the electoral dispute without addressing key legal objections or properly recording evidence, which directly violates the principles of equity and justice.
The judgment further emphasized that involving the affected parties was mandatory before voiding any election, a requirement completely bypassed in this instance.
According to the case details, Shakeel Ahmed Sheikh was elected unopposed as the ICA President in 2023; however, the PCB had allegedly and unlawfully restrained the elected officials from exercising their administrative powers. The petitioner was represented in court by the noted counsel, Taffazul Rizvi Advocate.
The High Court has directed the PCB to ensure a transparent electoral process in the future, mandating that the preparation of voter lists, verification of club statuses, and voter eligibility criteria must strictly adhere to the relevant rules and regulations.
The court also clarified that since the PCB functions under a statutory and constitutional framework, its decisions remain subject to judicial review by the superior courts.
