The Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC) has issued Shoaib Akhtar a recovery notice worth Rs100 million for breaking contract provisions.
According to the notice served him by PTV, the former cricketer has to pay the three months’ salary for violating clauses of their contract.
After which Shoaib Akhtar pledged on Sunday that he “would not give up and fight this legal battle.”
The Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC) claimed in the notice that it had been meeting its obligations under a January 2019 agreement with Akhtar. However, his “behavior toward official obligations pursuant to the binding terms of the mentioned agreement has not only been noticed as casual, but a clear breach of the agreement.”
The notice further added that Akhtar had agreed to “remain associated exclusively with PTV Sports and not appear or engage with any other television network within the Pakistan territory”.
However, after declining to appear on PTV due to health difficulties, Akhtar broke the agreement by appearing on two programmes, one on ARY News and the other on Geo News.
According to the notice, Akhtar continued to demand enhancement in his monthly income up to Rs1.8m.
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Pakistan Television Corporation in the notice referred to Shoaib Akhtar’s spat with then PTV host Dr Nauman Niazs caused “huge financial losses to PTV”, and added that by failing to give a written notice three months in advance, Akhtar broke the conditions of the agreement.
The notice went on to state, Akhtar traveled for the T20 World Cup in the UAE without alerting PTV Sports management and appeared on a show with former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, causing “irreparable losses to PTV.”
According to the legal notice from PTV, Akhtar was required to appear on PTV’s World Cup program “Game On Hai,” which began on October 17. He had, however, only appeared in two of the 36 needed appearances thus far.
The notice ordered Akhtar to pay Rs100 million in damages as well as Rs3,333,000 — the equivalent of three months’ salary — or PTVC would start a lawsuit against him.
Shoaib Akhtar’s Reaction
Former Pakistani speedster, Akhtar is “utterly disappointed” by the notice and vowed to fight legal battle with PTV.
In a tweet on Sunday night the former cricketer, referring to the row between him and Dr Niaz, said: “After miserably failing to safeguard my respect & repute while I was working for PTV, they have now sent me a Recovery Notice.”
Utterly Disappointed. After miserably failing to safeguard my respect & repute while i was working for PTV, they have now sent me a Recovery Notice. I am a fighter & will not give up & fight this legal battle. My lawyer @SalmanKNiazi1 will take this forward according to law.
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) November 7, 2021
He added that his lawyer Salman Khan Niazi would take the matter forward in accordance with the law.
Spat with Dr Niaz
On October 27, the famous pacer and Dr Niaz were part of a panel for PTV Sports’ “Game On Hai,” which included guests including cricket Sir Vivian Richards, former England captain David Gower, former Pakistan women’s captain Sana Mir, and former fast bowler Umar Gul. The panel was evaluating Pakistan’s five-wicket victory against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup.
During a conversation about the Pakistan team, Akhtar thanked the Lahore Qalandars franchise in the Pakistan Super League for unearthing Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.
Niaz reacted angrily to Akhtar’s remarks, saying: ” “You are being a little rude so I don’t want to say this but if you’re being over-smart then you can go. I am saying this on air.”
Akhtar offered his apologies to the guests on the panel, once the show resumed after a break and announced his resignation from PTV.
He said that he could not continue with the programme because of “how I was treated on national television”.
Afterward, the PTV began an investigation into the incident and removed Dr Niaz and Akhtar off the air until the investigation was completed.
Last week, Dr. Niaz offered Akhtar a “unconditional apologies.”