Pakistan TV news channel sends Rs 100 million defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar: Report

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, November 10

The ongoing spat between former Pakistan pace legend Shoaib Akhtar and Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) seems to have gone murkier as the news channel has reportedly sent a Rs 100 million defamation notice to the former cricketer.

Also read: Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar walks out of TV show after being asked to leave

According a to a PTI report, Akhtar had resigned on air from PTV sports last month, which the company says was not only a violation of the clause but has also resulted in huge financial losses to the organisation.

“Shoaib Akhtar also left Dubai during T20 World Cup transmission without any prior information to PTVC management. Besides, appearance on an Indian TV show along with Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh, which also caused irreparable losses to PTV,” the notice further added.

Akhtar has been asked by the PTVC to pay an amount of Rs 100 million as damages along with an amount of Rs 33,33,000, equivalent to a three-month salary to the organisation, otherwise, PTC “reserves its rights to initiate legal proceedings” against Akhtar before the court of competent jurisdiction, said ARY News.

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar was embroiled in a controversy when he walked out of a TV programme and resigned from his job as cricket analyst after being told to leave the set by the host of the show at state-owned PTV.

Akhtar, 46, said he had been treated badly and insulted on air by the host in the post-match show following Pakistan’s five wicket win over New Zealand in ongoing T20 World Cup.

Akhtar, who played 46 Tests and 163 ODIs, got up, took off his microphone and left. Host Nauman Niaz didn’t attempt to call him back and showed no reaction at all and carried on with the show as normal.

But the other guests on the show, including greats like Sir Vivian Richards, David Gower, Rashid Latif, Umar Gul, Aaqib Javed and Pakistan women’s team captain Sana Mir, were clearly shaken by the incident.

Akhtar’s walkout prompted a storm on the social media with majority of the netizens sympathising with him and demanding an apology from the PTV sports host, Niaz, who is a well-known cricket historian and analyst who heads the PTV sports department.

Clips of the argument between Akhtar and the host, which led to the resignation part were also shared widely on social media.

Akhtar himself took to Twitter to clarify his position.

“Multiple clips are circulating on social media so I thought I shud clarify. dr noman was abnoxious (sic) and rude wen he asked me to leave the show,” Akhtar tweeted.

The problem began apparently when Akhtar ignored the line of questioning by the host and decided to talk about pacer Haris Rauf and chose to lavish praise on the Pakistan Super League franchise, Lahore Qalanders and its coach Aaqib for discovering Haris and supporting him properly.

A few minutes later, Akhtar turned to his fellow experts on the show and after apologising to them announced he was resigning from PTV sports.

“My apologies for this but I am resigning immediately from PTV sports as I have been insulted and treated badly on live television in front of the nation,” he said. With inputs from PTI/Agencies