High Court Scrutinizes PSL Sponsorships Over Alleged Links to Gambling
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) is investigating the
sponsorship of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and other Pakistan Cricket Board
(PCB) events by companies suspected of being "surrogate corporations"
for international betting and gambling companies.
Justice Syed Atiq Shah and Justice Dr. Khursheed Ahmad heard
a petition filed by Syed Muhammad Tanseer Ahmad Sherazi, who argues that these
sponsorships violate Pakistan's ban on gambling. He claims young people are
attracted to betting by seeing the sponsors' names on team shirts and accessing
betting apps with ease.
Petitioner's lawyers, Saifullah Muhib Kakakhel and Nouman
Muhib Kakakhel, highlighted the presence of toll-free helplines operated by
these companies within Pakistan, further facilitating betting activities. They
further pointed out that while the sponsors present themselves as sports news
or equipment companies, internet searches reveal their links to foreign
gambling corporations.
The court also noted a complaint filed by the Pakistan
Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)
seeking action against these companies. However, the FIA representative stated
no progress on the complaint over the past eight months.
Furthermore, the court acknowledged documents provided by
the petitioner suggesting the State Bank of Pakistan shares concerns regarding
the sponsorships.
Following the hearing, the PHC directed the State Bank of Pakistan and Pakistan Cricket Board to submit responses to the petition, indicating a further examination of the alleged links between PSL sponsors and gambling activities.
#PSLSponsorships #AntiGambling
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