Pakistan-England cricket series: Pakistan can’t partner with Indian companies, says Fawad

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry Tuesday said the federal cabinet had rejected the state television’s request to sign an agreement with the Indian companies (Star and Sony) for broadcasting the upcoming Pakistan-England cricket series.

He was briefing the media persons about the cabinet meeting chaired by the prime minister here. “The cabinet has rejected the request of PTV to sign an agreement with Star and Sony to air the England-Pakistan cricket series. Star and Sony have monopoly over all the cricket content in South Asia and the entire rights are with them,” he explained.

He emphasised that the government could not sign an agreement with any Indian company and, therefore, the series would not be aired in Pakistan. However, he added, ‘we will try to find a middle ground by approaching the ECB (English Cricket Board)’.

“Pakistan cannot partner with any Indian company and our relations with the neighboring country are conditional on India's reversal of the decision on August 5, 2019 to restore Kashmir's former status,” the minister emphasized.

Fawad said Pakistan was considering various options, including contacting the England Cricket Board and other foreign companies, to get the broadcasting rights of the match series, but Indian companies had the monopoly and rights to broadcast cricket in South Asia.

“And we are looking for another way to solve it. It is important to watch cricket and we will try to plan for it. If we do not find an alternative, the PTV will also face a loss to the PCB.”