Pakistan government defends PTV-Zee TV venture

Thursday 03 Nov 2011
The joint venture between state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) and India’s Zee TV is an open business deal, Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has told Pakistan’s Upper House of Parliament, RapidTVNews reports.

The venture is solely for broadcasting sports events, she said, underlining that Ten Sports – which has been broadcasting cricket in Pakistan for some years – is part of Zee Entertainment Enterprises.

She was responding to a widely reported adjournment motion moved by Prof Khursheed Ahmed of the Jamaat-e-Islami party.

The senator had voiced concern that PTV must not provide a channel to India’s Zee TV for local penetration, as that could have serious political and cultural implications.

However, the Daily Times said he had no objection if the minister thought there was no hidden agenda behind the broadcasters’ tie up.

Mr Azim also called for a quid pro quo action by India, to allow Pakistani TV channels to broadcast there.