Islamabad, The Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, led by Senator Fauzia Arshad, convened today at the Parliament House to deliberate on issues related to Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television (PTV). The meeting focused on the operational challenges and strategic directions of these state-run broadcasters.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Minister Murtaza Solangi provided insights into the roles and challenges faced by Radio Pakistan and PTV. He emphasized that Radio Pakistan serves a crucial role in disseminating information to the public and should not be viewed as a commercial entity. In light of this, the ministry has approached the Energy Ministry to request that Radio Pakistan be exempted from commercial rates for electricity, acknowledging its non-commercial mandate.

Further, Solangi highlighted PTV’s efforts to adapt to the digital age, noting the broadcaster’s initiative to enhance its presence on social media by uploading quality programs. This move aims to broaden PTV’s viewership beyond traditional broadcast channels, addressing the shifting consumption patterns towards digital platforms. The Information Minister stressed the importance of increasing PTV’s social media engagement to reach a wider audience, underscoring the need for the national broadcaster to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

The Senate Committee’s discussion reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that its public broadcasters can effectively fulfill their mandates while navigating financial and technological challenges.