News Detail
Event Title: Senator Syed Ali Zafar, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting Presiding over a Meeting of The Committee at PTV Headquarters, Islamabad
Event Date: 2025-05-21
The Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, led by Senator Syed Ali Zafar,paid a visit to Pakistan Television Corporation headquarters to receive a comprehensive briefing on the working of the organization.
The meeting commenced with an extensive discussion on the implementation status of Committee recommendations, specifically the non-airing of Opposition members' speeches. Senator Syed Ali Zafar highlighted the censorship of these speeches on PTV. He stated that when it was asked previously, ministry replied by referring to Technical glitch an actual cause of the incident. He also showed footage of ongoing Senate Session in which his speech was not aired ,and surprisingly, the logo of PTV appears by the time he started his speech. The Committee inquired about the SoPs followed for the live broadcast of Parliamentarians Speeches. In reply, Secretary Information and Broadcasting stated that the PTVC doesn’t have written SoPs for live transmission of Parliamentarians Speeches. The Committee recommended to provide the details of all instances in which speeches of Opposition members were not aired in the next meeting.
Secretary Information and Broadcasting,Ambreen Jan, briefed the committee that PTV was established with aim to inform and educate the people of Pakistan while upholding the national interest and cultural values of the country. As of now, nine channels are working under the umbrella of PTV with active centers at seven different locations across the country.
Referring to the Financial standing of the country, PTV collects around Rs. 10.2 Billion annually in lieu of TV fee, which are collected from the electricity consumers through bills. Additionally, PTV earns around Rs. 3.0 Billion annually through advertisements and sponsorships. However, the major chunk of the earnings,around Rs. 9 Billion, is being spent on the salaries of employees,whose current strength stands at 4201. Moreover, PTVC is focused on digitalization to further increase the revenue of the organization.
The Committee commended PTVC role in combatting Indian media’s false propaganda during the recent escalation and for highlighting actual facts before the nation.
Furthermore, the Committee highlighted the nonpayment of salaries and pensions to the employees of Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation. Senator Irfan Siddiqui reiterated that employees of Radio Pakistan are receiving salaries as per 2023 Pay and Pension criteria, however, the irony is that their taxes are being deducted as per 2024 criteria. Officials informed that their salaries have not increased due to non concurrence of Finance Division on the matter and budgetary shortfall. The Committee decided to take up the matter with the Finance Division in the upcoming meeting.
Discussing the Government’s use of media advertisements,along with the breakdown of advertisements to several media outlets since the incumbent government assumed office, Officials informed that the complete details of advertisements will be provided upon the completion of current Financial Year.
Additionally, Senator Aon Abbas highlighted the cases registered against various individuals under the PECA Act. He reiterated that a total of 34 FIRs registered against various individuals,mostly belonging to South Punjab, in which individuals posted content on social media against the local administration and current Punjab Government. Secretary Information and Broadcasting informed that the ministry couldn’t provide the details of cases registered under the PECA act as the matter falls under the Interior ministry. The Committee recommended the ministry to provide the details of the case in the upcoming meeting.
In attendance were Senators Irfan ul Haque Siddiqui,Pervaiz Rashid,Sarmad Ali,Aon Abbas,Jan Muhammad,Fesal Vawda,Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Ambreen Jan and other relevant were also in attendance.