Islamabad: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting has called for the immediate initiation of appointing permanent heads to key media organizations under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The committee emphasized the necessity of this action to counteract the negative impact of temporary leadership on the performance and functioning of these organizations.
According to Press Information Department, the committee met under the chairmanship of Mr. Pullain Baloch, MNA, at Parliament House to review the Ministry’s operations and the performance of its affiliated entities. During the meeting, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting detailed the Ministry’s efforts to reorganize PTV and other media bodies, mentioning steps taken to revisit editorial policies and enhance the representation of all political forces in state media. He also highlighted the creation of a Center for Digital Communication (CDC) to better manage the government’s social media presence and counter misinformation.
The committee was informed that interim officials currently manage Pakistan Television (PTV), Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), and Shalimar Recording and Broadcasting Company (SRBC), which has led to concerns about the effectiveness of these entities. Issues such as mismanagement at PTV, problematic promotions, and fiscal inconsistencies were particularly noted. Members also expressed concerns over the performance of Pakistan Press Officers abroad and requested a thorough appraisal of their activities.
Furthermore, discussions covered the Ministry’s strategies regarding the payment of outstanding advertisement dues to media outlets, which has helped facilitate salary payments to media workers. Proposals to amend the Newspapers Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1973, to include electronic media workers in the Wage Board Awards were also discussed, as was the potential privatization of the loss-making Shalimar Recording Company.
The session concluded with decisions to schedule exclusive briefings on PTV’s financial and business plans, as well as the government’s advertising policies and the criteria for public sector advertisement awards to media outlets.