A Pakistani court on Monday served notices to the federal government and the national association of film producers seeking their response to a petition seeking a ban on the exhibition of Indian films to protest the exclusion of Pakistani cricketers from the IPL.
Lahore High Court Chief Justice Khwaja Muhammad Sharif issued the notices seeking responses from the federal sports and culture ministry and the film producers association at the next hearing scheduled for February 9.
The petition was filed by a man named Muhammad Hussain through his counsel Ishtiaq Ahmed Chaudhry.
It said Pakistan was the world champion in Twenty20 cricket but none of the country's players were selected the Indian Premier League auction as franchises intentionally did not bid for them.
Hussain said this had caused humiliation not only for the players but to the whole nation.
On the other hand, Indian films are being freely exhibited throughout Pakistan, he said.
Hussain asked the court to ban exhibition of Indian films till the Indian government offers a public apology over the humiliation of the Pakistani cricketers and the nation.
He also said the Pakistan government should organise a cricket league on the pattern of IPL so that the country's cricketers and fans can get some relief.
Twenty20 champions Pakistan were stunned after none of the country's 11 players were signed up during the IPL auction.
Civil society groups and political parties have protested the perceived snub of the cricketers and an association of cable TV operators has announced it will boycott IPL matches.
A delegation of Pakistan's Election Commission and some parliamentarians cancelled a visit to join the Indian poll panel's diamond jubilee celebrations this week to protest the perceived snub.
The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation too called off its team's scheduled tour of India.
