PM Sharif's disqualification won't affect PHF, says Secretary Shahbaz Senior

In the wake of Pakistani Supreme Court's decision to disqualify Nawaz Sharif as country's Prime Minister on Friday, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Shahbaz Senior has insisted that the development will not affect the functioning of the sport's body.

In a landmark verdict, the Pakistan Supreme Court today declared Sharif guilty of illegally accumulating offshore properties and monies beyond his known sources of income and disqualified him from continuing in office.

The apex court issued a unanimous 5-0 verdict and ordered the concerned authorities to immediately file a case against the Prime Minister and forward it to an accountability court.

Shahbaz Senior said that that Nawaz's role in the operations of the federation was minimal and thus the functioning of the organisation won't be affected by the latter's disqualification.

"PM's disqualification won't affect PHF functions. Patron in chief's only role was to approve finances for tours and camps," Express Tribune quoted Shahbaz Senior as saying.

He added that the federation was never in direct contact with the Prime Minister and whenever they needed financial assistance, they contacted the Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) ministry.

"We are never in direct contact with PM and it's always through IPC ministry. So if we have any issues regarding financial grants, we will contact IPC ministry," he said.

The PHF Secretary further revealed that Nawaz had provided PHF with a financial grant which is still being used for tours and camps.