Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday said that Pakistan Television has been projecting true image of the country and promoting real values and traditions. Addressing a function here at PTV Headquarters, he announced that the government would launch four new channels in provincial languages on August 14 to promote national integrity, culture and traditions.
The Prime Minister said the government would also launch a sports and a youth channel very soon.
Shaukat said that the government had adopted a positive approach, which helped in the promotion of electronic media in the country.
He said the expansion in the electronic media has provided a chance to the talented and qualified persons and it has also increased competition and provided equal chance to everyone.
The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of PTV and expressed hope that PTV would excel further.
He said that being a true representative of Pakistan, PTV would continue to lead in the electronic media.
Shaukat said there was need to reflect the true image of Pakistan in the world through PTV.
He said that Media City in Islamabad would be inaugurated by the end of next month.
He said the Media Centre would have the office of leading news agencies, radio, TV and advertising agencies and it would be equipped with the latest facilities for the media persons.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan welcomed foreign television channels in the country and PTV has been competing with these channels.
Underlining the importance of news section, he said that the staff associated with news section of PTV has to improve their performance.
The Prime Minister said that speed, content and analysis are the major prerequisites for news coverage and to compete with the private sector.
He said with timely coverage of news, accurate contents and balanced analyses, the PTV could effectively beat its rivals in the market.
The Prime Minister urged PTV employees to do their work with dedication, commitment and passion.
Referring to the achievement of the PTV in revenue, he said the government wanted that PTV should be self-reliant and spend its earnings on its improvement, training and welfare of the staff.
The Prime Minister said PTV is a professional organisation and its performance is based on merit and professional skill of the people working here.
He said besides presenting music programmes, the PTV has to project positive thinking, culture and traditions. He said the analysis on PTV should be balanced and above personal interests and prejudices.
The Prime Minister said the earning of the PTV from advertisements has increased, which is the major source of income of the PTV.
On the demand of the employees of PTV, he accepted in principle to provide land for the housing society of PTV employees.
Regarding uncertainty of the contract employees, he assured them that he would look into this matter, and promised to take measures to end this uncertainty.
The Prime Minister referred to his personal involvement in the construction of PTV Headquarters and said that his father, who was an engineer in Radio Pakistan, was sent on deputation to PTV during that time.
He said he came to see the under-construction building with his father at that time, and added that he had very old memories associated with the PTV Headquarters.
The Prime Minister said the journey that started here 40 years ago has been taken forward by PTV employees.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid said that PTV is projecting values and traditions of the country.
He supported the demand of the employees for housing society and said the government would provide them best possible facilities.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli said free media policy introduced by President Pervez Musharraf provided a chance for electronic media to grow in the country.
She said PTV has proved its worth and was competing effectively and facing the challenges.
PTV Managing Director Arshad Khan explained the turnaround story of PTV.
He said that with better recovery, the collection has improved from Rs 350 million loss of last year to Rs 500 million plus this year.
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