Several celebrities have come to cricketer Azam Khan’s defense after he was mocked for his weight online. Khan was part of the Pakistan cricket team that won against England in the first Twenty20 International at Trent Bridge recently but as many congratulated the team, several also body-shamed him.
This included alleged PTV Sports’ social media handles which shared an offensive 'joke' about Khan on Facebook and Instagram. A picture of him was shared with the caption "He eats a lot but doesn't hit much." The posts have since been deleted.
Many, including popular celebrities, have since slammed the state-run sports channel for its alleged remark, which was both tone-deaf and insensitive. But PTV’s official Twitter account has claimed that the Facebook account body shaming Khan is ‘fake’ and PTV management will take strict action against it.
“In response to speculation circulating regarding Pakistan Television Corporation’s social media handles body shaming a Pakistani cricket player, this is to notify that the handle perpetuating this act is fake and does not belong to PTV,” tweeted PTV Sports.
In another tweet, PTV Sports added: “Further the PTV management has taken notice of the malicious post impersonating PTV, and will be approaching PTA & other concerned authorities to take strict action against the fake account spreading disrepute on PTV. As the National Broadcaster of Pakistan, we are cognisant of our responsibilities, and will always hold true to the aspirations of the people of the country and continue the positive projection of Pakistan to the world,”
In response to speculation circulating regarding Pakistan Television Corporation’s social media handles body shaming a Pakistani cricket player, this is to notify that the handle perpetuating this act is fake and does not belong to PTV. pic.twitter.com/ELITeqUOzL
— PTV Sports (@PTVSp0rts) July 19, 2021
Further the PTV management has taken notice of the malicious post impersonating PTV, and will be approaching PTA & other concerned authorities to take strict action against the fake account spreading disrepute on PTV.
— PTV Sports (@PTVSp0rts) July 19, 2021
As the National Broadcaster of Pakistan, we are cognisant of our responsibilities, and will always hold true to the aspirations of the people of the country & continue the positive projection of Pakistan to the world.
— PTV Sports (@PTVSp0rts) July 19, 2021
Please verify & fact check your stories before printing wrongful information & misleading people. The said Instagram page which printed this story is fake & an impersonation of PTV-Sports. https://t.co/CdJsE5aa7V
— PTV Sports (@PTVSp0rts) July 20, 2021
Nevertheless, it seems the damage has been done since actor and composer Haroon Shahid posted a screenshot of the ‘fake’ PTV Sports comment on his Instagram story and wrote. "At first I thought this is some fake page running under the name of PTV Sports. To my surprise it wasn't! Is this how we are going to ridicule our players?!"
Actor Ali Ansari also called out the channel for the ‘fake’ comment while senior actor Adnan Siddiqui vehemently disapproved of PTV Sports’ reported mockery of Khan on his Twitter. "[This is] absolutely disgusting and unacceptable! People at PTV Sports need immediate lessons in sensitivity,” he asserted. Actor Faysal Quraishi also took to Instagram and wrote, "Shame on you, PTV.”
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