The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting was informed on Tuesday that the Rs 11 billion allocated to Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) is insufficient to cover the salary and pension obligations of its employees and pensioners.
Briefing the committee chaired by MNA Pullain Baloch on PTV’s operations, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ms. Ambreen Jan, stated that the ministry’s request for additional funds had not been approved by the Finance Ministry. However, she informed the committee that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a special committee, headed by Senator Rana Sanaullah, to assess PTV’s financial needs. She expressed hope that the committee would recommend special funding to help PTV meet its liabilities.
PTV is currently undergoing digitization, and a robust business plan is being developed to make the organization financially self-sufficient. However, she warned that a revenue shortfall is expected in the last quarter of the current fiscal year, and the Finance Ministry has again been requested to provide special funds. Secretary highlighted that modern trends have been introduced at PTV, Pakistan with a workforce comprising young and energetic professionals.
Responding to queries from committee members, Secretary Information Ms. Ambreen Jan assured that the rehiring process at PTV was carried out transparently.
Responding to a query from Senator Sehar Kamran, the Secretary revealed that 183 inquiries have been initiated against employees over the past three years, with some still pending.
The committee expressed strong displeasure over the live broadcast of proceedings from the Israeli parliament.
Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting, Barrister Danyal Chaudhry, informed the committee that PTV has hired new anchors with substantial viewership, who are being paid at market rates. He noted that dramas and entertainment programs continue to be the main source of revenue for the state broadcaster.
The committee also visited the PTV headquarters, where members appreciated the facilities available in the news and production departments. During their visit to PTV Pakistan, members showed keen interest in its operations and overall functioning.
Committee Chairman Pullain Baloch announced the formation of a sub-committee comprising Amin ul Haq and Sehar Kamran to visit PTV Karachi and assess its ongoing projects. Responding to a query from Chairman Baloch, Secretary Information Ms. Ambreen Jan confirmed that the process to appoint a new Chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has begun following a public advertisement. She added that five candidates will be shortlisted, and the final selection will be made by the National Assembly and Senate committees.
The committee deferred deliberations on “The Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (Amendment) Bill, 2025,” moved by MNA Shazia Marri, due to the mover’s absence.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Ms Kiran Imran Dar, Ms Asia Naz Tanoli, Ms Romina Khurshid Alam, Ms Kiran Haider, Ms Shaheen, Salahuddin Junejo, and Ms Sehar Kamran.