Media matters: LHC moved against ‘PTV-Zee deal’

Petitioner asks court to replace PTV boss as he once worked for Indian channel.

LAHORE:

A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court asking it to stop a reported joint venture between Pakistan Television and the Zee Media Group of India. Mian Muhammad Aslam filed the petition claiming that PTV had finalised a $35-45 million (about Rs3-3.9 billion) deal with the Zee Media Group. He said that in the first phase, as a result of this understanding, PTV had agreed to help the Indian media group acquire exclusive rights to broadcast events in Pakistan through “Zee subsidiary Ten Sports”.

The petitioner, through his counsel Saeed Zafar, said that Pakistani cricketers were not allowed to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistani channels were not allowed to air in India.

He said PTV Managing Director Yousaf Baig Mirza was a former employee of Zee. He said this amounted to “misconduct” on the part of the managing director and was also illegal. He said that allowing foreign ownership of media groups in Pakistan could have security repercussions. He said the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Ordinance of 2002 stated that no licence would be given in Pakistan  for broadcasting, landing rights or cable operations  to any entity that is owned by a foreigner or controlled by foreigners.

The petitioner asked the court to stop any joint venture between PTV and Zee and direct PTV to disclose any memoranda of understanding they had signed in this regard. He also asked that the PTV managing director be replaced.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2011.