The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday issued notices to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and other respondents on the petition, challenging the auction of broadcasting rights of the Pakistan Super League-9 (PSL-9). Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan of the LHC heard the petition filed by PTV Union Secretary Farooq Ahmad. Rana Intezar Hussain Advocate, who appeared on behalf of the petitioner in the court, said that the reserved price of the auction was Rs7.35 billion, while broadcasting rights were given at Rs6.30 billion. “Therefore, it is prayed to the court to declare the auction null and void,” the lawyer said. Earlier on Tuesday, the Pakistan Television (PTV) had rejected the version of ARY over acquisition of Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) broadcast rights.

A PTV spokesperson, in a news statement, said the Pakistan Television was a national broadcaster that operated within its own limits. The spokesperson categorically said that the ARY’s offer for PTV Sports was unacceptable. The Ministry of Information had informed the relevant standing committee about its efforts to acquire broadcast rights of PSL season 9, the spokesperson said, adding the panel had appreciated the efforts of PTV and the Ministry of Information in this regard. There was no discussion regarding the ARY administration in the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, the spokesperson noted. In this regard, the allegations levelled by ARY had no basis, the spokesperson said.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)