VETO streams Pakistan tri-series in India, raising questions over scope of MIB advisory

VETO, a subscription-free streaming platform operated by Veto Streaming Media, whose directors include India TV promoters Rajat Sharma and Ritu Dhawan, is streaming the ongoing tri-series featuring Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka in Pakistan, bringing the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s (MIB) May 2025 advisory on Pakistani-origin content into focus.

The advisory, issued following the Pahalgam terror attack, asked OTT platforms, media-streaming services and intermediaries operating in India to discontinue specified categories of content originating in Pakistan in the interest of national security.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a press release dated October 17, listed VETO as the digital broadcaster for India. The seven-match series began on October 18 and is scheduled to conclude on October 31.


The ministry’s advisory, issued on May 8, 2025, stated: “In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect.”

The advisory names web series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content but does not specifically mention live international sports broadcasts.

In response to a query, VETO said the advisory did not cover the telecast of the ongoing tournament, citing its international character and the involvement of multiple countries.

“As is evident from a plain reading of the advisory issued in May 2025, referred to in your email, it is aimed at content which affects the sovereignty and integrity of India, or threatens, endangers or jeopardizes the security of the State or is detrimental to relations with other countries or is likely to incite violence or public disorder,” the company said.

“The advisory makes no reference whatsoever to sports content. It certainly cannot, in any event, be read as covering the telecast of an international cricketing event involving multiple countries which is sanctioned by and being played under the aegis of the ICC,” it added.

The issue follows the withdrawal of Indian broadcast and streaming coverage of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in April 2025. FanCode stopped streaming the remaining matches, while Sony Sports Network halted its scheduled television coverage. Zee Entertainment Enterprises also removed Pakistani programming from ZEE5 and its Zee Zindagi YouTube channel.

Indian broadcasters, including JioStar and Sony Pictures Networks India, have also aired India-Pakistan matches in multilateral tournaments organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

Senior advocate Meet Malhotra said the advisory should not be construed as a blanket ban, adding that its practical scope would depend on how it is interpreted and implemented.

“My reading is that this is an advisory, not a blanket ban. It appears to leave room for discretion, with the stated concerns relating to India’s sovereignty, integrity and security. The practical implications will depend on how the advisory is interpreted and implemented in individual cases.

“Broadly, the concern appears to be content that could inflame passions or raise national security concerns. However, the precise scope cannot be determined without examining the advisory’s wording and the applicable law.

“In practice, an advisory of this nature can have a chilling effect. Broadcasters and platforms may choose to discontinue certain channels or content rather than risk uncertainty, scrutiny or legal complications. This could result in wider restrictions in practice, even in the absence of an express blanket ban.”