The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday temporarily halted a directive that required the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to disclose the salaries, match fees, and other financial benefits of national cricketers, as well as detailed financial records related to the Pakistan-South Africa one-day international series. This suspension will remain in effect until further hearings take place.
Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar granted interim relief to the PCB following petitions challenging separate rulings by the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) issued on July 9. These rulings had compelled the cricket board to release the requested financial information under the country’s right-to-information laws.
The court issued notices to both the Pakistan Information Commission and the applicants demanding the information, instructing them to submit their responses. Meanwhile, the implementation of the PIC’s decisions has been stayed until the next hearing.
In one case, the Information Commission had ordered the PCB to reveal details about players’ central contracts, salaries, match fees, allowances, the board’s overall budget, and other financial benefits. Representing the PCB, lawyer Kashif Malik argued that the requested information extended beyond institutional expenditures and included private financial details of individual players and confidential contractual agreements.
He maintained that the commission’s order demanded disclosure of information protected by confidentiality clauses and therefore should not be enforced. The court accepted this argument and temporarily suspended the enforcement of the Information Commission’s order pending further proceedings.
In a related case, the IHC also stayed another PIC order requiring the PCB to disclose financial and administrative details concerning Pakistan’s one-day international series against South Africa, which took place at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad in November 2025.
The PCB’s petition noted that the Information Commission had mandated disclosure within 10 days of various records. These included revenue from broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals, advertising, ticket sales, and other income sources linked to the series. Additionally, information was sought on prize money and match fees paid to players, security-related payments, stadium management costs, and funds given to the district administration.
The applicant also requested details about the upgrades made to Iqbal Stadium to qualify it for hosting Pakistan Super League Season 12 matches. The PCB challenged the commission’s decision as legally flawed and urged the court to overturn it.
After considering the submissions, the Islamabad High Court suspended the implementation of the Information Commission’s order in this matter as well. Notices were issued to the Pakistan Information Commission and applicant Naeem Ahmad, and the court adjourned further proceedings.
