Islamabad; April 20, 2016: Meeting of the Standing Committee on Information Broadcasting and National Heritage was held in Islamabad, this morning with Pir Muhammad Aslam Bodla in the chair for a briefing on working and performance of PTV and its allied Channels followed by visit to the PTV News room and studios.

The Committee was briefed that PTV was established to disseminate accurate and authentic information besides providing healthy and value oriented entertainment. The Managing Director informed the Committee that PTV was the largest television network in the country covering 90% of the population. He said that PTV symbolizes national unity solidarity, peace, progress and privilege of pioneering television in South Asia and gave artists, recognition and identity and brought their images to the masses.

He further said that PTV had performed well despite financial constraints and out-dated equipments. He further informed that a new business plan for making PTV self-reliant and profit generating entity was underway which would be implemented soon. He further informed that PTV had played an important role in preserving ideological boundaries, cultural values and national heritage of the country. 

The Committee appreciated the role of PTV had being playing in dissemination of credible reporting and providing healthy entertainment. The committee suggested that PTV may reinvigorate its in-house drama production to revive the grandeur of the national television. The Committee also directed for independent HR review for affective utilization the trained and experienced human resources potential of PTV. The Committee also directed for conducting enquiry into the financial and administrative affairs during the previous PTV management. The Committee recommended for provision of special grant to PTV for replacement of its obsolete equipment. 

The Committee earlier approved the minutes of its previous meeting. Ms. Belum Hasnain Convener of Sub-Committee of the Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage presented interim report of the Sub-Committee constituted on a private members bill “The Protection of Journalist Bill, 2014”.

The meeting was attended by MNAs, Mr. Muhammad Tallal Chaudry, Mian Muhammad Farooq, Mr. Tahir Iqbal Ch., Ms. Ghulam Bibi Bharwana, Ms. Parveen Masood Bhatti, Ms. Arifa Khalid Parvez, Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb, Ms. Belum Hasnain, Dr. Muhammad Azhar Khan Jadoon, Malik Muhammad Aamir Dogar, Ms. Naeema Kishwer Khan, Secretary, Information and Broadcasting Division, Director General (IP) and other departmental heads of PTV.
 
 
(MEHBOOB ALI GURMANI)
Director/Secretary Committee
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