Pakistan Television’s sports channel, PTV Sports, has stopped broadcasting the ongoing second Test match between Pakistan and Australia.
This decision follows the Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s commitment to a “Zero tolerance for surrogate Companies” policy, urging stakeholders to prevent their promotion during live sports event coverage.
PTV Sports, in adherence to the government’s policy, reported the issue to the parent broadcaster and notified the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and other relevant stakeholders. The channel aims to resolve the matter, remove surrogate companies’ advertisements, and resume live broadcasts of the Pakistan vs. Australia Cricket Series 2023-24.
The ministry had previously issued an advisory, noting an “unambiguous violation” during the live broadcast of the Pakistan cricket team’s tour to Australia.
The advisory urged ministries, departments, and organizations to avoid contracts or cooperation with illegally operating surrogate companies.
Media outlets were strictly warned not to promote such companies through advertisements and to terminate existing agreements immediately.
The ministry observed logos of two companies mentioned in the advisory displayed uninterrupted during the live broadcast, prompting the call for immediate compliance and investigation into non-compliance reasons. Stakeholders were urged to submit a copy of their compliance within a week.
