(REUTERS) – The Lahore High Court has summoned the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, the federal sports minister and seven cricketers on September 7 to hear a petition calling for the players to face treason charges. Lawyer Ishtiaq Ahmed filed the petition in the High Court to initiate treason proceedings against players who are being investigated for alleged spot fixing on the current tour of England.
He said he wanted to see the players banned for life and their assets seized.
“I filed this petition because the players shamed the country and their millions of followers by getting embroiled in this spot-fixing controversy,” Ahmed told Reuters.
Senior PCB lawyer Talib Rizvi said that since the petition was based on allegations it was unlikely the court would make a quick decision.
“The players have still not been proved guilty of any wrongdoing. The investigations are on but the board will obviously defend itself,” he said.
Filing of such cases in Pakistan by civilians or civil lawyers is not uncommon when a major controversy hits Pakistan cricket.
A citizen filed a petition against former captain Wasim Akram for appearing in a advertisement for an Indian company that also produces alcoholic beverages. The case was dismissed.