Islamabad: Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, while addressing a graceful ceremony held at PTV Multan on the occasion of Pakistan Television's 61st anniversary, said that PTV is not only a national institution of information and entertainment but also a true representative of Pakistan's diverse cultural, linguistic, musical and literary traditions. He announced that PTV Multan Centre would be upgraded to meet modern requirements and to more effectively showcase the cultural identity of South Punjab across the globe.
The ceremony was attended by Director Programmes Saif-ud-Din, General Manager PTV Multan Shafqat Abbas Malik, renowned singer Suraiya Multani, Malik Haider Usman Advocate, Shakir Hussain Shakir, as well as a large number of distinguished citizens, poets, writers, journalists and people from various walks of life.
Recalling his long association with PTV, Gilani said that the golden-era dramas of Pakistan Television were widely admired not only across Pakistan but also in India and several other countries. He shared that even prisoners in jails eagerly awaited PTV dramas, which served as a source of encouragement and hope for them. This public sentiment, he added, inspired him during his tenure as Prime Minister to establish the PTV Centre in Multan.
Gilani noted that the establishment of PTV Multan marked a milestone in promoting the region's civilization, the Saraiki language, music and literary heritage. The people of South Punjab, he said, possess a distinct cultural identity, making it essential to create a dedicated centre to represent them, offer opportunities to emerging artists, poets, musicians and writers, and bring their work into the national spotlight.
He said that the inauguration of PTV Multan Centre in 2011 was part of a broader vision to provide a national platform for regional music, literature, poetry, intellectual discourse and cultural activities. Felicitating the nation, particularly the people of Multan and South Punjab, Gilani expressed hope that PTV would continue to uphold its legacy and move forward with excellence.
Referring to his recent visit to Azerbaijan, the Chairman Senate said that during his meeting with the President, he was informed that the 700-year-old 'Multan Caravanserai' remains preserved as a symbol of historical heritage, and its name has been retained due to Gilani's connection with Multan. Highlighting Multan's 5,000-year-old history, he proposed that significant historical cities around the world be declared 'sister cities' to enhance cultural diplomacy.
Chairman Senate emphasized that institutions like PTV play a crucial role in shaping national narrative, cultural identity and soft power. Therefore, all necessary measures must be taken to ensure their development and progress.