Islamabad: As per the Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting has directed Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation to revise renting rates of all its tenants bring them to the market rates. The Committee was of the view that the financial health of the Corporation warrants immediate measures enabling the State Broadcaster to continues its operation and payment of salaries to its employees. The Committee met this morning under the Chairmanship of Mr. Pullain Baloch, MNA.

The Committee expressed its annoyance on non-provision of information sought from Pakistan Television. The Committee was of the view that the Standing Committees were extension of the Parliament and had mandate to exercise check on executive branch of the government and the privilege to seek and receive information from any department/organization of the government. The committee said that any attempt to prevent or conceal information from the Committee would entail serious implications. The Committee decided to hold a follow up meeting meanwhile PTV was asked to submit necessary information sought by the Committee. The Minister for Information and Broadcasting assured the Committee that his Ministry held the Committee and its Members in high esteem and would never obscure any information from the August forum. He apprised the Committee about the recent steps initiated in PTV for making it more vibrant and self-sustaining.

The committee reviewed and expressed satisfaction on the strategy chalked out to counter anti-state narrative in Balochistan and frontier regions of the country. The Committee stressed for further enhancing outreach of state radio and television in Balochistan and frontier regions apart from highlighting governments achievement in development sector and through youth and public engagement.

Taking note of my excessive advertisements during prime time and sports matches, the Committee directed PEMRA to ensure compliance of its regulations regarding excessive advertisements. The Committee was apprised that advisories had been issued to all TV channels to comply with the regulations.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Attaullah Tarar, MNAs; Ms. Kiran Imran Dar, Ms. Asia Naz Tanoli, Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Ms. Sehar Kamran, Ms. Rana Ansar, Mr. Muhammad Moazzam Ali Khan, Moulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, while Ms. Mahtab Akbar Rashdi and Mr. Waqas Akram attended the meeting through Zoom. Ministry of Information was represented by Director General (IP), Director General (PBC) and other officers of departments under Ministry.