Banned trio summoned by Pak govt over fixing scandal

Karachi, Feb 7 (PTI) Banned trio of Salman Butt, MuhammadAsif and Muhammad Aamer have been summoned to Islamabad by thePakistan government tomorrow following sanctions handed out tothem by the ICC for involvement in spot fixing.

Pakistan''s sports minister Ijaz Hussain Jakhraniconfirmed that three have been called to the capital for ameeting with him that would also be attended by interiorminister Rehman Malik.

"Obviously we want to have a talk with them regarding thebans and their involvement in spot-fixing and also about whatthey plan to do in future," Jakhrani said.

The minister had backed the verdict of the ICCanti-corruption tribunal to ban the three players for varyingperiods but said the government has some reservations over thefive year ban imposed on Aamer which he termed as harsh.

Jakhrani said that the government supported all ICCanti-corruption measures but also wanted to hear from theplayers.

However, sources close to the minister said that themeeting has also been convened because of the summons issuedby the Crown Prosecution Office in London for the trio toappear in a Westminister court on March 17 to face criminalcharges of accepting bribes and defrauding in the spot-fixingcase.

"The interior minister wants to make it clear to theplayers the consequences of the London police filing formalcriminal charges against them and instruct them to ensure theyappear in the London court on the given date as it was on theassurance of the government that the trio were allowed toreturn from London last while they were suspended by the ICCand the London police was also investigating spot-fixingallegations against them.

"The government apparently wants to find out if their wasany way it could help out the players in the worst periods oftheir lives," the source stated.

Meanwhile, the mother of Muhammad Aamer has appealed tothe government to help her who she claims has never broughthome earnings from corrupt means.

"We never thought that Aamer would be banned for fiveyears. But I am confident that God will help him and he willget another chance to play for Pakistan again," she told GeoNews.

"Sometimes I think someone has cast a spell on Aamir."PTI Corr SHN