A key parliamentary body has raised the alarm over the dire financial state of Pakistan Television (PTV), criticizing its management's failure to present a viable business strategy following the halt of license fee collection via electricity bills.
Committee Warns of PTV's Unsustainable Model
The Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting voiced serious concern over the inaction of PTV Management to develop alternate revenue streams. The committee, which met at the PTV Headquarters in Islamabad on Friday under the chairmanship of MNA Pullain Baloch, concluded that the state broadcaster cannot survive on government grants alone while covering its operational and employee expenses.
To address the crisis, the panel formed a four-member sub-committee. This sub-committee, led by Convenor Nadeem Abbas, MNA, is tasked with a critical mission: devising a comprehensive business plan for PTV, ensuring sustained salary payments, and identifying the factors and individuals responsible for the current financial distress.
Scrutiny Extends to Sports Wing and SRBC
The sub-committee's mandate also includes evaluating the performance of PTV Sports, its revenue portfolio, and conducting a performance appraisal of its head, who was hired on a substantial salary package.
Furthermore, the committee turned its attention to the Shalimar Recording and Broadcasting Company (SRBC), which is currently under liquidation by order of the Islamabad High Court. The court-appointed liquidator informed the members that if the government fails to present a revival plan within two months—a deadline assured by the Information Minister in a recent hearing—the company will have to be wound up. He revealed that only fifty employees remain, with the rest laid off due to the company's financial collapse.
The Director General of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting updated the committee that a proposal for SRBC's revival and to address its pending liabilities has been submitted to a committee formed by the Prime Minister's Advisor on Political Affairs. The parliamentary committee urged the ministry to expedite the matter to prevent further job losses.
Progress on Karachi PSDP Project
On a more positive note, the committee expressed satisfaction with a compliance report from the Director General of PBC regarding a halted Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) project in Karachi. The committee directed for bi-monthly progress reports on the project.
The DG PBC informed the members that, on the committee's earlier recommendation, a technical committee assessed equipment lying unused in containers for over a decade. The committee found the technology to be current and the equipment in good condition, suitable for installation. The DG assured that periodic updates on the project's progress would be provided.
The meeting was attended by MNAs including Nadeem Abbas, Ms. Kiran Imran Dar, Ms. Asia Naz Tanoli, Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Ms. Kiran Haider, Ms. Shaheen, Ms. Sehar Kamran, Syed Amin Ul Haque, Ms. Rana Ansar, Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
