INFORMATION Minister Fawad Chaudhry in a press conference has said that government cannot provide PTV Sports free to Pakistanis because they are receiving copyright claims from International Cricket Council (ICC).

I would like to ask him: whenever the channel is not airing cricket and showing other sports events like Asian Games, is the government still receiving copyrights?

Why is PTV Sports not free whenever it shows sports other than cricket? Why is it not free while telecasting the National Games? India shows its DD Sports free and also airs Indian cricket matches live. Afghanistan and Bangladesh do the same.

PTV Sports is available for cable users but not for people living in far-flung areas and villages.

The government charges Rs35 as TV fee every month. I hope PTV Cricket will not be run on taxpayers’ money because it is not going to be available to taxpayers.

Sadam Rustamani
Wahi Pandhi

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2018