100 Indian media men issued visas
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has issued visas to nearly 100 Indian journalists and media persons, including TV commentators for coverage of the forthcoming Pakistan-India cricket series.
The unprecedented public interest in the series is reflected in the number of requests made by the Indian media for visas to Pakistan, said a spokesman for the Ministry of Information.
He said the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has been advised to facilitate issuance of visas to the Indian media representatives.
“The ministry is acting in close co-ordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra),” he said.
The PCB sources said the contractual obligation of the PCB with the Ten Sports TV channel, which has the exclusive telecast rights, prevents it from allowing any other camera crew to cover the matches, including the warming up sessions.
For that reason alone, no other foreign TV channel is being allowed visas to cover the matches, he said.
The spokesman said the Indian state channel, Doordarshan, would be allowed visas, if they send in their applications, adding: “They will not have access to the stadium on account of the telecast rights being held by Ten Sports channel.”
The unprecedented rush of media persons is putting pressure on the capacity of the press enclosures, which are being spruced up by the PCB to ensure provision of all professional facilities for Pakistani and foreign newsmen.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:3/7/2004
” 
” 
” 
” 
