NA committee concerned over PTV-ARY consortium

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 3 years ago

ISLAMABAD—Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination Nawab Sher Waseer and members have raised several questions over the formation of the PTV/ARY consortium resulting in a monopoly on Pakistan Super League (PSL) broadcasting rights.

"How a state-owned TV goes hand in glove with a private channel?" committee member Iqbal Mohammad Ali questioned, asking why other leading local and international channels were ignored altogether. "This is a blunt joke and should not go unnoticed," he said.

The committee chairman and other members also expressed concern over the role of the state-owned TV channel.

The matches for the league will be aired live simultaneously on PTV Sports and ARY-owned A Sports from January 27, 2022, and will continue with the streaming till February 27, 2022.

Don't Miss These

Sindh lawmaker apologizes after raising false news of Moin Khan’s death

December 06, 2025: A Sindh lawmaker apologized after mistakenly announcing cricketer Moin Khan’s death in the Assembly, highlighting concerns over rising misinformation and social media rumors in Pakistan.

Pakistani journalist wins climate change reporting contest

December 04, 2025: Samaa Digital journalist Wajid Ali wins a British High Commission climate contest for his story on Pakistan’s street workers, blending faith perspectives with science to raise awareness.

AI-generated video falsely links Imran Khan sister to war comments

December 03, 2025: Prominent journalist issues warning over a fabricated deepfake video falsely claiming her Sky News interview featured a 2025 Pakistan-India war discussion, part of rising digital misinformation campaigns.

Pakistan forms commission to protect journalists and media workers

December 02, 2025: Pakistan has established an independent commission to protect journalists and media workers, aiming to strengthen press freedom, address threats, and improve welfare measures nationwide.

Hamid Mir links Sohrab Barkat's arrest to broader pressures on Pakistani media

December 01, 2025: Hamid Mir addresses criticism of his views on press freedom as he highlights the arrest of young journalist Sohrab Barkat despite a court order permitting travel abroad.

Hamid Mir defends detained journalist Sohrab Barkat

November 30, 2025: Veteran anchor Hamid Mir has publicly defended detained journalist Sohrab Barkat, questioning state actions after Barkat’s airport arrest and raising international concern over press freedoms in Pakistan.

Sohrab Barkat’s airport arrest defies court directive

November 27, 2025: Journalist Sohrab Barkatt was detained at Islamabad Airport despite a court order removing his name from the PNIL, raising concerns about rule-of-law gaps and media freedoms.

Najam Sethi to debut new show on Dunya News

November 26, 2025: Najam Sethi will host a new prime-time show on Dunya News following his departure from Samaa TV, signaling a key move in Pakistan’s competitive media landscape.

Newsroom

India journalists attacked during corruption probe at RTO office

December 05, 2025 Two journalists investigating corruption at a Madhya Pradesh RTO were assaulted on November 28, prompting strong condemnation from media unions and renewed calls for stronger journalist protections.

Algerian court upholds 7-year jail term for French journalist Christophe Gleizes

December 04, 2025 An Algerian appeals court affirmed a 7-year prison sentence for French journalist Christophe Gleizes, drawing sharp international criticism and raising urgent concerns about press freedom under Algeria’s anti-terrorism laws.

China detains veteran journalist Du Bin for third time

December 04, 2025 Chinese photojournalist Du Bin has been detained for a third time amid a widening crackdown on independent media, raising fresh concerns about press freedom and state censorship in China.

India scraps mandatory Sanchar Saathi app pre-install after backlash

December 04, 2025 India has withdrawn its directive requiring all smartphone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app after widespread criticism over privacy, surveillance, and press freedom concerns.

Rainforest grant offers support for global environmental reporting

December 03, 2025 The Rainforest Reporting Grant offers rolling, project-based funding for journalists covering tropical forests, biodiversity, Indigenous rights, and environmental issues across three global regions.