In a dramatic turn of events, the Indian crew working with the broadcast team of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) has started leaving the country following Islamabad’s recent directive for all Indian nationals in Pakistan to exit by April 30th.
According to sources, several Indian broadcast freelancers who were part of the PSL production team in Multan have already packed up and are set to fly out today. The rest of the Indian contingent, comprising around 35 to 40 members, is expected to leave soon.
This action comes after the Pakistani government’s policy of revoking visas amid rising tensions between the two neighbors. Although the Ministry of Interior made it clear that the decision is universal, including sports and entertainment industries, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) insists it had nothing to do with it. “This is purely a government directive,” a PCB source confirmed.
Despite the sudden exit of the Indian staff, sources from the broadcast company assured that the Pakistan Super League will not be affected. “There will be no disruption in the live broadcast of PSL matches,” a senior official confirmed. “The main company handling PSL production is Pakistani, and replacement staff have already been mobilized.”
Interestingly, the Indian personnel involved were reportedly working in a freelance capacity, not as permanent employees. “Their absence won’t impact quality or operations,” the company stated. “PSL will continue to be broadcast in high quality without any interruptions.”
This comes in the context of increased India-Pakistan diplomatic tensions, with issues such as cross-border events, the Indus Waters Treaty, and claims regarding false flag operations. To this end, Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) recently discussed security policies and resolved to implement tougher visa policies.
