Broadsheet threatens to seize Pak cricket assets

[ejaz007]

Broadsheet threatens to seize Pak cricket assets

Listen

WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s cricket team might find itself in an awkward situation if bailiffs move to seize its equipment and other assets during its UK tour.

Broadsheet LLC., the company that won the arbitration case against the state of Pakistan and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), has already sought court orders instructing professional bailiffs “to seize the assets of the Pakistani cricket team" and their action will commence in two days.

In a letter sent to Islamabad's counsel, Allen & Overy, the company has argued that the state of Pakistan and NAB have failed to pay the award money it owes, more than 33 million dollars. On top of that they have also refused to engage in any such correspondence for months. "The Pakistan cricket team is currently in the UK preparing for a Test series against England," the letter sent by Broadsheet LLC says, "We consider that the team is, by the very nature, an asset of the defendant and that monies due to the team and assets of the team are assets of the defendant to the litigation." It further asks Pakistan's counsel that if they disagree with the position then they should respond soon or otherwise the company will enforce the warning.

In July last year Pakistan lost the case against Broadsheet LLC, as its plea was dismissed by the London High Court. As claimants, the NAB and the state of Pakistan, had appealed to review the award decision. Broadsheet LLC. was hired by the NAB during former President Pervez Musharraf's regime to investigate hidden assets of over 150 Pakistanis abroad including the Sharif family. The agreement was terminated by the NAB in 2003, after which Pakistan owed damages to the company.

By September last year, the company reached out to the London High Court to help recover the award money from Islamabad. In its application Broadsheet LLC requested the court for "permission under Section 66 of the Arbitration Act 1996 to enforce" awards since Pakistan has failed to pay up the penalty imposed by the International Arbitration Court. It was underlined that the award was final and had not been complied with asking the court to apply interest in the judgment at a daily rate of almost $5,000.

Since then, the company has been actively considering its options with regard to enforcement of the Part Final Award (Quantum). The News has already reported that besides going after Pakistan's assets abroad, the company was also considering to seize the Avenfield apartments in London. It told Islamabad late last year that, "we are aware of reports that Respondent [the state of Pakistan and the NAB] have already sought assistance from the United Kingdom Central Authority regarding the seizure of the Avenfield House apartments."

The other assets the Broadsheet LLC has been considering to seize included the Pakistan High Commission building and high commissioner's house in London as well as Roosevelt Hotel in New York.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/692665-broadsheet-threatens-to-seize-pak-cricket-assets

 

[maithil]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1287656792592457729

Hope British authorities do not permit the company to confiscate assets of Pakistan Cricket team. That will be humiliating.

 

[TNT]

Shows our state's pathetic state of affairs. This is what happens when morons are put in big offices.

 

[Mrc]

just a scare tactic

 

[ejaz007]

Broadsheet reiterates threat, responds to PCB statement

Listen

WASHINGTON: Broadsheet LLC has reiterated its claim that it intends to enforce action against Pakistan's national cricket team.

In another letter issued on Tuesday, the company said that it has not received any response from Islamabad after the letter sent on 24th July. "In the absence of any response, we reiterate our view that the Pakistani Cricket Board (PCB) is a state organ and thus its assets, and those of the state, are one and the same."

The letter further stated that it was a matter of fact that the "Government of Pakistan is ultimate owner of the Pakistani Cricket Board, and that the Board forms part of the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination. The government exercises direct control over the Board, including by virtue of its right to amend its constitution at its sole discretion, and for the Pakistani Prime Minister (as Patron) to appoint Board members."

An apparent rebuttal to Pakistan Cricket Board's response to Broadsheet's threat, the letter said that "the Board itself controls the Pakistan National Team, with one of its constitutional objects being the financing and arranging of visits and tours abroad. The government of Pakistan thus exercises such a degree of control over the Pakistani Cricket Board that the two are entirely intertwined."

The letter argued that state organs are, at law, equated with the state itself. This includes for the purposes of enforcement. "In light of all of the above, and your failure to provide any response whatsoever or to counter the position that we have set out, we write to confirm our intention to proceed with our instruction to professional bailiffs to seize the assets of the Pakistani National Team," the letter concluded further stating that the state of Pakistan and the NAB have been given fair warning of the company's intention to proceed.

Earlier, the company had informed Pakistan that since it has failed to pay the award money it owes; it has sought court orders instructing professional bailiffs "to seize the assets of the Pakistani cricket team" touring the UK these days.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/693734-broadsheet-reiterates-threat-responds-to-pcb-statement

 

[313ghazi]

Has NAB ever won a case in court?

 

[Fireurimagination]

Does 11 cricket kits of PCB cost 33 million dollars. Tell them le lo

 

[ejaz007]

There are other Government assets in UK which could be targeted.