KARACHI: Ashfaq Ahm­ed, chairman of the Karachi Bask­etball Assoc­iation (KBBA) scrutiny committee, declared the recent KBBA elections illegal on Thursday, citing serious irregularities and vowing to take legal action against the organisers. “This is a serious issue, and I reserve the right to take legal action against the organisers of these illegal elections,” Ashfaq said in a statement. The controversy surrounding the elections stems from the suspension of former KBBA president Ghulam Muhammad Khan by the Pakistan Basketball Federation (PBBF) in May 2024, due to disciplinary and administrative irregularities. Ghulam had accepted his mistakes and tendered an apology, recommending senior vice president Mohammad Yaqoob as his interim successor. The PBBF had constituted a three-member scrutiny committee, which was headed by Ashfaq while Wasimur Rahman and Aslam Niazi were the other two members. The committee was made to oversee the KBBA’s affairs and ensure transparent elections. “The committee is currently engaged in the process of checking the legal status of basketball clubs in Karachi,” Ashfaq explained. He added, “This is to ensure the integrity of the game and prevent any unauthorised activities.” Earlier in December, Saleem Qureshi, who was declared chairman of the KBBA, denied any invo­lvement in the elections and termed them “so-called” and “illegal”. Yaqoob, former acting president of the KBBA, also denied being part of the elections, condemning them as “fake and illegal”. The PBBF has finalised a calendar of activities and developmental programs for players, coaches, referees and statisticians, aiming to promote fair governance and transparency in basketball. Ashfaq urged all Karachi basketball clubs and officials to cooperate with the PBBF’s efforts to restore discipline and transparency in the KBBA. “We also request the PBBF to take action against the illegal body,” he said.