Daily Times

LAHORE: There is a lobby in the PTV News that is trying hard to convince the Information Ministry to shut down PTV World, the only English language news channel in the country, a producer working with the state television network told Daily Times on condition of anonymity.

The producer said that the proposal to shut down PTV World had been presented to the management by senior members of PTV News.

The federal government is considering options for the financial viability of the state-run television network, due to ‘insurmountable losses’. Earlier this month, a round of meetings was held among senior officials of the information ministry and PTV to discuss ways to turn the state-run network of TV channels into a revenue-generating group. Controllers and directors of the PTV were asked by the ministry to submit proposals for the restructuring of the state-run network.

Other sources in the organisation also confirmed to Daily Times that a complete closure of the English language TV channel was being considered in view of financial losses since its launch in 2013.

Besides financial losses, the internal management has been in a state of disarray in the absence of a managing director.

The information ministry allocates about Rs.105 million for the organisation’s operations every year. However, in its report of 2015-2016, the auditor general of Pakistan claimed that the release of this money was irregular. The audit report maintained that funds were not approved by a person in position of authority. Also, 75 percent of the expenditure was on human resources.

The source said that if they were laid off many employees would knock the doors of courts because as per rules of the organisation, the channel could not fire employees after two years.

Anchorperson Mona Alam, who was part of the ministerial meetings, said that multiple options were under consideration for reforming the television network’s financial situation. “I have personally recommended the ministry to opt for structural reforms of the channel rather than its closure. It is the only English news channel in the country and it should remain in operation for the national interest,” she said, adding that it was high time that the channel was turned into a profitable entity.

However, senior officials involved with the issue who were also part of the meetings confirmed to Daily Times that the ministry was not serious about the idea of reforms and restructuring as it needed a lot of homework.

When contacted, State Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb neither confirmed nor rejected rumours of a complete closure of the PTV World. She said a complete restructuring plan was under consideration. “So far, nothing conclusive has been decided on the matter. Financial scoping is being conducted for the first time in the history of PTV and final decisions will be taken after that,” she said, adding that a decision will be reached by the end of the week.

The minister said the decision would be in the best interest of PTV and the nation.

“Regional and provincial representation in content is missing. New content will ensure all regional and provincial representation,” the minister remarked.

She said several measures were under consideration for the revival of the state-run organisation. “The new plan for revival includes financial management and efficiency, content and technological upgradation, children content, and a parliamentary channel,” she added.

PTV World is the only English language news channel operating from the country. Over the years, it has won credit for broadcasting news related to the country to an international audience.

Published in Daily Times, October 30^th 2017.