The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting has warned that Pakistan Television (PTV) cannot continue to operate by depending only on government grants and must urgently develop new sources of income.
The warning was issued during a committee meeting in Islamabad on Thursday, chaired by MNA Pullain Baloch. Members expressed concern that the channel’s financial position has weakened further after the discontinuation of PTV license fee collection through electricity bills.
The committee criticized PTV management for failing to present a clear business plan that could help the organization meet its operational costs and pay employee salaries on a sustainable basis. To address the issue, a four-member sub-committee was formed under the leadership of MNA Nadeem Abbas.
The sub-committee has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive business plan, identifying reasons behind the financial decline, and reviewing the performance and revenue of PTV Sports, including an assessment of the senior appointment made on a high salary package.
The committee also discussed the situation of the Shalimar Recording and Broadcasting Company (SRBC), which is currently under liquidation following court orders. The court-appointed liquidator told the committee that unless a government-approved revival plan is finalized within two months, the company may face permanent closure.
So far, only 50 employees have been retained while others have been laid off due to financial constraints. The Ministry of Information informed the committee that a revival proposal has already been submitted to a committee formed by the Prime Minister and is awaiting approval. Lawmakers urged the ministry to speed up the process to prevent further job losses.
Separately, the committee reviewed a compliance report from the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) regarding a delayed development project in Karachi. Members expressed satisfaction over the progress and directed that updates be provided every two months.
The Director General of PBC also informed the committee that a technical review found broadcasting equipment, which had remained unused in storage for more than a decade, to still be functional and suitable for installation.
