PTV halts live broadcast as Imran Khan’s poster surfaces during Pak vs NZ match

The government-run media outlet, Pakistan Television (PTV), abruptly halted live coverage of the fourth T20 International match between Pakistan and New Zealand when PTI founder Imran Khan’s poster unexpectedly appeared during the broadcast.

Numerous videos are circulating on the microblogging platform 'X', depicting PTV ceasing the live broadcast due to a match spectator holding a poster of PTI founder Imran Khan. 

The viral video of PTV censoring Imran Khan's picture sparked reactions among netizens.

It is important to highlight that media outlets are restricted from broadcasting Imran Khan's speeches, pictures, and there is also a ban on mentioning his name.

Transgender activist, Mehrub Awan shared her take on the censorship of the match due to Imran Khan’s picture. 

“We live in a country where a two times former Prime Minister's name was banned from being published in any newspaper and spoken on TV,” her post read on ‘X’. 

We live in a country where a two times former Prime Minister's name was banned from being published in any newspaper and spoken on TV.

Benazir Bhutto.

Censorship was wrong, always. https://t.co/TRJTko7lXJ

— Mehrub Awan (@mehrubawan) January 19, 2024

An ‘X’ user wrote, “Imran Khan, a global cricket icon, deserves an uninterrupted celebration of his cricketing legacy in the spotlight!” 

Is PTV in a parallel universe? Censoring Imran Khan's cricket brilliance? Imran Khan, a global cricket icon, deserves an uninterrupted celebration of his cricketing legacy in the spotlight! #Kaptaan https://t.co/0OwPTBG772

— Tuba Athar Hasnain (@AtharTuba) January 19, 2024

Sports journalist afra Ferzoe Zake, siad, “What did actually PTV Sports tried to proof by putting a black out when poster of Imran Khan was caught on camera during Pakistan NZ T20?  You can disagree to political views but Imran Khan is the greatest cricketer ever produced in the history of this gentlemen's game.” 

What did actually PTV Sports tried to proof by putting a black out when poster of Imran Khan was caught on camera during Pakistan NZ T20?🤔 You can disagree to political views but Imran Khan is the greatest cricketer ever produced in the history of this gentlemen's game. #NZvPAK

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) January 19, 2024

Game toh on hai.

But can PTV not bear a single poster of Imran Khan at a cricket match? This is 2024. These are the tactics that are rallying the entire nation behind Imran Khan.

Show your strength with your vote.
Vote for Imran Khan.
Vote for traffic🚦lights on NA31 @saarbab… pic.twitter.com/BmoBFTdNkO

— Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) January 19, 2024