Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage, and Culture, Attaullah Tarar, announced on Tuesday that hosting the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan is a matter of national pride and a significant milestone for the country.
He emphasized that the return of mega international events, after a prolonged gap, is a testament to Pakistan’s improving image and stability. Following the successful hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit last year, Pakistan is now ready to welcome another high-profile event, signaling its readiness to engage with the global community on multiple fronts.
The minister expressed his disappointment over the past neglect of sports facilities and events in Pakistan, which often gave sports grounds a deserted appearance. However, he acknowledged the recent progress, attributing it to focused efforts by the government to revive the nation’s sporting culture.
Highlighting the role of Pakistan Television (PTV), the minister shared that the national broadcaster has significantly improved its operations and has seen a remarkable rise in PTV Sports’ viewership ratings. He assured that all conditions for acquiring ICC broadcast rights have been fulfilled, and payments were made on time. As a result, PTV will telecast all ICC matches, bringing the excitement of international cricket directly to Pakistani audiences.
Additionally, he announced plans to assemble an expert panel featuring renowned cricket personalities like Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, and others, to provide top-tier analysis and commentary for viewers. He further emphasized the importance of turning PTV Sports into a modern and efficient channel, acknowledging the shortcomings of the past where delays and a lack of planning hindered its operations. The government has now undertaken extensive reforms to ensure the channel meets international standards through a transparent system.
The minister also shed light on reforms in Radio Pakistan, highlighting the implementation of an online pension system to streamline financial processes. He praised the officers responsible for identifying and removing ghost employees, which saved a significant amount of public funds. He encouraged other public institutions to adopt similar practices to enhance efficiency and accountability.
Attaullah Tarar concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to further improving both PTV and Radio Pakistan. He assured that citizens would soon witness more positive changes, emphasizing the importance of transparency, modernization, and efficiency in ensuring these institutions serve the public effectively. He also called on the nation to support the revival of sports culture in Pakistan, which he described as essential for inspiring unity and national pride.
