PTV venture with Indian media
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday sought reply from the ministry of information and broadcasting and Pakistan Television managing director on a petition praying to stop joint venture of PTV and Zee Media Group of India.
Petitioner’s counsel Saeed Zafar argued before the court that PTV has finalised a joint venture with Zee Media Group and at initial level the deal amounts to 35 to 45 million dollars. He said it was very dubious and questionable move on the part of the respondents.
He submitted that in the first part of this understanding, PTV had agreed to facilitate the Indian media group to acquire exclusive right to show, through Zee subsidiary Ten Sports. Mian Muhammad Aslam has filed the petition by relying on a news item published in The News.
The petitioners through his counsel Saeed Zafar added that Pakistani players were not even allowed to participate in Indian Premier League (IPL) and all Pakistani channels were also not allowed for coverage.
He said PTV Managing Director Yousaf Baig Mirza has been employee of Zee Group. He said constitution of Pakistan and law of the land does not permit to such breach of misconduct on the part of the managing director.
He said entry of foreigners into the field of communication as well as media of state are subject to extreme security matter of the state. He said Pemra Ordinance 2002 clearly states that it is mandatory condition that no license may be given in Pakistan, be it for broadcasting, landing rights or cables operations, to any entity that is owned by a foreigner or controlled by foreigners from outside.
The petitioner prayed the court that the move of joint venture may be stopped and all MoUs are disclosed prior to arriving at any final disposal of this petition. He further prayed that the PTV MD be replaced by any other competent and faithful citizen.
A writ petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court to stop proposed secret deal of state-run Pakistan Television with Zee media group of India. The petitioner has reproduced the published news item in his petition which says PTV has finalized a joint venture with Zee Media Group and at initial level the deal amounts to 35 to 45 million dollar.
He said it is very dubious and questionable move on the part of the respondents. He submitted that in the first part of this understanding, PTV gas agreed to facilitate the Indian media group to acquire exclusive right to show, through Zee subsidiary ten sports.
The petitioners through his counsel Saeed Zafar added that Pakistani players were not even allowed to participate in Indian Premier League (IPL) and all Pakistani channels were also not allowed for coverage.
He said MD PTV Yousaf Baig Mirza has remained as employee of Zee Group. He said constitution of Pakistan and law of the land does not permit to such breach of misconduct on the part of the MD.
He said entry of foreigners into the field of communication as well as media of state are subject to extreme security matter of the state. He said Pemra Ordinance 2002 clearly states that it is mandatory condition that no license may be given in Pakistan, be it for broadcasting, landing rights or cables operations, to any entity that is owned by a foreigner or controlled by foreigners from outside.
The petitioner prayed the court that the move of joint venture may be stopped and all MoUs are disclosed prior to arriving at any final disposal of this petition. He further prayed that the PTV MD be replaced by any other competent and faithful citizen.
Source: The News
Date:10/21/2011
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