Indian Broadcasting Team in a Quandary Over Their Stay in Pakistan Amid Rising Tensions

Synopsis

As tensions escalate following the Pahalgam terrorist attacks, an Indian broadcast crew in Pakistan is uncertain about their future. Visa cancellations have heightened their concerns, but PCB officials maintain their special visas may exempt them from restrictions.

Key Takeaways

A 12-member Indian crew is stranded in Pakistan due to escalating tensions.
The Pahalgam terrorist attacks have resulted in 26 tourist fatalities.
India and Pakistan have canceled valid visas for travelers between the two nations.
PCB believes special visas for the crew will not be affected.
Past incidents have strained India-Pakistan sports relations.

Mumbai, April 24 (NationPress) A 12-member Indian crew along with a producer, responsible for the broadcast of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), find themselves stranded in Pakistan, caught in a dilemma about whether to remain in the country due to rising tensions following the tragic Pahalgam terrorist attacks that resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists.

Both India and Pakistan have revoked all valid visas for their citizens traveling to each other's territories and mandated their departure within the next 48 hours as part of a reciprocal action. This situation has raised concerns for the PSL broadcast crew, although officials from the PCB believe that the cancellation of visas will not affect them due to the special status of their documents.

“While a decision regarding the cancellation of visas for Indian citizens has been made, it has yet to be enacted for the broadcast crew as alternative arrangements must also be considered. A conclusive decision will be provided by tomorrow,” a PCB official informed IANS.

Furthermore, five of the crew members hold residency in the UAE, which means they will not return to India and thus will not be affected by the travel restrictions. “We have consulted with the hiring company,” stated an anonymous crew member. “Our visas are unique, so it appears there shouldn't be any issues,” the crew member mentioned to Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net).

Previously, the PSL broadcasters, the Trans-Asia company, expressed concerns from some crew members to the PCB. “The broadcasters have been in contact with the PCB regarding whether the crew, including the producer, should remain in Pakistan or exit,” a senior PCB official told www.telecomasia.net.

In response, the PCB has consulted the interior ministry, led by their chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, for guidance. They are confident that the visas issued are for sporting events and will not be revoked.

Historically, the PSL faced challenges when IMG Reliance, the Indian broadcaster managing the PSL in the UAE, withdrew as an official production partner following the Pulwama attacks in February 2019. The PCB subsequently filed a compensation claim, which remains unresolved.

Since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, bilateral sporting relations between India and Pakistan have been halted.

While most cricket matches in Pakistan and the UAE involve Indian crews, Pakistan has recently engaged professionals from Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Malaysia as well.