A parliamentary committee has instructed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to draw up a clear recovery roadmap for Pakistan Television (PTV), saying the state broadcaster cannot be allowed to wither under years of mismanagement.
Spotlight on PTV’s Decline
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting met at PEMRA headquarters on Monday, chaired by MNA Pullain Baloch. Lawmakers expressed alarm over PTV’s mounting financial woes, delayed staff salaries, and pending benefits. They called for an inquiry to determine who is responsible for the network’s deterioration.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar told the committee that reforms are already underway, including a new marketing approach and efforts to monetize broadcasting rights for international cricket events. He assured members that while cash flow problems led to salary delays, government grants would cover the shortfall in the short term.
Push for Regulatory Clarity
Beyond PTV, the committee pressed the ministry to expedite approval of long-stalled PEMRA rules, arguing that a modern regulatory framework is essential to safeguard both legacy broadcasters and emerging digital players.
The conversation then shifted to the booming but unregulated world of web-TV and streaming platforms. Lawmakers voiced concerns that unchecked content threatens social and cultural standards. PEMRA officials confirmed that most OTT platforms currently operate outside any legal framework but noted that draft “light-touch” regulations had been prepared following consultations with stakeholders.
Advertising and Accountability
The panel also urged tighter monitoring of advertisements, including stricter enforcement of rules requiring broadcasters to run public service messages.
Separately, the committee demanded swift follow-up on the multi-billion-rupee pension scandal at the Associated Press of Pakistan. Officials credited the current APP administration for unearthing the embezzlement and confirmed that an FIR has already been registered against those implicated.
The Bigger Picture
The committee’s directives reflect a two-pronged challenge: rescuing PTV from financial collapse while also bringing Pakistan’s fast-changing media ecosystem under regulatory control. How effectively the ministry balances revival with regulation may determine whether state-backed broadcasting remains relevant in a digital-first future.
