Pakistani-British artist Yasir Akhtar (filmmaker, singer, composer; producer] has been successfully dabbling in the entertainment business for a long time. Starting out as a child artist and following a successful career in Pakistan, Yasir has since found an audience in the United Kingdom as well, where he is permanently settled. Like most artists looking to branch out in other areas of entertainment, Yasir Akhtar, too, re-entered the arena via his company Pegasus Productions, producing content that goes beyond geographical boundaries.

In November 2019 Yasir was approached by the State-run PTV to produce content for Pakistan, specifically for a slew of multi-cultural films that were called ‘Multi-National Films,’ but the collaboration didn’t quite pan out as planned.

This is how the story goes.

After releasing two films - Azaad and Rung Dorangi (that were aired on satellite channels) – under the banner of Pegasus Productions, Yasir Akhtar signed a contract with PTV in November 2019 to create a slew of multicultural, ‘multi-national’ films of 90 minutes each. The films would portray a positive image of Pakistan.

According to Yasir, a contract was signed between PTV and Pegasus Productions. In layman’s terms, Yasir’s company would cover the cost of the film(s) with the understanding that PTV would provide scheduled slots to broadcast and/or stream the film. The profit was based on a 50/50 revenue-sharing model. With sponsorships and advertisements in place, the revenue would cover the production cost, at least.

The first film, shot in London, was sent to PTV for clearance.

“The first film had many storylines embedded in the larger narrative, including stem-cell treatment. We took permission from NHS to shoot in sensitive areas in London. The idea was to submit one film every month or so and they (PTV) would decide what slot it could be given and so on,” Yasir shared with Instep.

“The execution of the contract began when PTV asked us to remove something from the film after which they’d release it. Since then, however, the film has been languishing with them. Only after airing of the first film would we give them the second film. Copyright infringement is another issue as the film could leak.”

Yasir notes, “Some deals were already in place irrespective of us. The problem is that while certain slots were available and should’ve been given to us, they were not. This was followed by the arrival of an addendum that came in January 2020.”

A back and forth ensued.

It was made clear in unofficial terms that should Yasir sign the addendum, the scheduling slot would be made available. “Had I signed it, it would make my original contract null and void. It would be a breach of contract. A squabble followed because I was of the opinion that if an addendum is to be made, it should also include our clauses. The first line is distressing since it says the contract is not binding. It goes on to add that the upcoming 11 films would be seen by the preview committee. But this was not in the original agreement, which said the Censor Board of PTV will watch a certain amount. It doesn’t happen that the committee sits to watch the entire project.”

When Akhtar refused to sign the addendum, pressuring tactics were employed and PTV producers were also told to not invite Yasir as a guest to their respective shows on the network.

Yasir confirmed that he has sent different reminders, letters, emails and legal notices throughout to PTV as well as Prime Minister’s Public Affairs and Grievances Wing, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Prime Minister’s Performances Delivery Unit (PMDU) – Pakistan’s Citizen Portal and London High Commission. Governmental forces were contacted for help, including Senator Faisal Javed Khan (Senator PTI - Chairman Standing Committee on Info Broadcasting), Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan (Ex-SAPM for Information and Broadcasting), Shibli Faraz (Ex-Minister for Broadcast and Information), Chaudhry Fawad Hussain (Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Government of Pakistan), Mrs. Shahera Shahid (Secretary Information), DSO Omar Khan, Mohammad Nafees Zakaria (Ex-High Commissioner for Pakistan in the United Kingdom), Moazzam Ahmad Khan (High Commissioner of Pakistan in the United Kingdom) and Sayed Zulfiqkar Abbas Bukhari (Special Assistant to the PM for Overseas Pakistanis & HRD).

Though notices were sent but PTV’s Managing Director Aamer Manzoor ignored them, Yasir shares. The final legal notice was sent last month in May.

When asked about the project and allegations made against the State channel, PTV’s present DP (Director-Programs) Akbar Malik told Instep that the project was old. It was former PTV-DP (Director-Programs) Kanwal Masud who had signed the contract on PTV’s behalf. Akbar Malik, who now holds her designation, was dismissive of the matter.

“It’s a matter that was before my time. And whatever it was, the legal department had informed them. I don’t know what happened to it; it’s a two-year old case,” he said, reiterating, “You need to speak to legal and admin department for this. I don’t have their information.”

Responding, Yasir Akhtar further notes, “What kind of discrimination is this when you haven’t paid me for four years while others are promptly paid and when I’m being removed from shows? My contracts are not fulfilled. Someone wants to sabotage me. When two months went by, we approached all relevant bodies about what had happened. Two months went by and we received no response to texts or calls. The last I heard from someone was in Ramazan; I was given assurance by Akbar Malik who had said then: ‘I myself am wondering that the film has been lying for nearly two years and it should’ve run by now’ and I told him to ask the current MD of PTV. He said he’d speak to the MD and get back to me since it was a loss for both parties and I maintained that I had more to lose.”

After that, an eerie silence followed before Yasir Akhtar’s public petition (PP-3788) in the Senate of Pakistan against PTV. “Now it’s just a matter of time as to when they call me.”

In the end, Yasir Akhtar – who signed a contract for producing 12 films for PTV – doesn’t call it a dispute. Though it has been 18 months since his first film in the dozen was approved, at this point he’d simply like to know why this film has been abandoned and railroaded and why his film hasn’t been given a schedule slot to air.

– This is a developing story.