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Pakistan’s National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting has called for stronger institutional support for the Press Council of Pakistan. Lawmakers said the council needs better funding, more staff, and modern technology to regulate the print media sector effectively.
The committee met in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Mr. Pullain Baloch, MNA. During the session, members reviewed the Council’s performance and discussed pending financial matters within the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The Chairman of the Press Council of Pakistan briefed lawmakers on the body’s current operations. He said the Council includes members from the media, parliament, government, and civil society. According to him, the Council remains fully functional and actively monitors the print media sector. It also handles public complaints and runs awareness efforts.
However, he pointed to several operational challenges. He said the council lacks a dedicated office space. Limited funding, staff shortages, and weak technological infrastructure have also slowed its progress. He requested the committee’s support to address these gaps.
In response, committee members appreciated the Council’s performance. At the same time, they urged it to play a stronger role in protecting freedom of expression. They also asked the Council to take firm steps against disinformation and misinformation in print media.
Moreover, the committee suggested creating a complaint resolution mechanism for cases involving non-payment of salaries to print media workers. Members also recommended that the ministry develop clear service rules for employees of the Press Council of Pakistan.
The committee further directed the ministry to arrange an early meeting of the body formed under the advisor to the Prime Minister. This committee will examine the pending liabilities of all organizations under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Lawmakers also reviewed progress on previous recommendations. They instructed the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation to keep the committee updated on developments related to its PSDP project in Karachi. Officials informed members that a technical committee, formed on the Standing Committee’s direction, is already reviewing the matter. Its third meeting is scheduled for early next month.
The Director General of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation assured the committee that PBC engineers, with support from other technological organizations, will complete the project using indigenous resources.
Several MNAs attended the meeting, including Ms. Kiran Imran Dar, Ms. Asia Naz Tanoli, Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Ms. Kiran Haider, Ms. Shaheen, Ms. Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, Ms. Sehar Kamran, Syed Amin Ul Haque, and Ms. Rana Ansar. The Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and other senior officials were also present.
