The Lahore High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Pakistan Cricket Board for May 9 and sought reply on awarding the National T20 Super Eight Cricket Tournament broadcasting rights to Geo Super (a private sports channel) without bidding. Justice Umar Ata Bandial sought reply after it was told to the court by Pakistan Television Corporation’s counsel during hearing of a petition submitted that the PCB awarded national T20 broadcasting rights to the private channel without holding any bid. The court was hearing a petition filed by Independent Music Group (Geo Super) seeking directions for PTVC to hold a re-bidding for sub-licensing of broadcasting rights for ICC cricket during 2012-2015. Independent Music Group (IMC), in his petition, stated that PTVC had rights to broadcast ICC cricket events for period 2012-15. He submitted that the court ordered the PTVC to hold a bid for sub-licensing of broadcasting rights for ICC cricket during 2012-2015, on a petition filed by the petitioner. However, the respondent (PTVC) failed to ensure transparency and declared the Taj limited (Ten Sports) as a successful bidder and IMC’s offer was not accepted, he added. The petitioner pleaded the court to issue directions for a transparent re-bidding. On Wednesday, the court partly heard arguments of both the parties and issuing notices for May 9 to PCB adjourned the matter.
