NA panel voices its concerns over delay in appointment of heads of key media entities

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting on Monday expressed serious concern over delays in the appointment of heads of key media organizations, including Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), and directed the ministry to ensure timely appointments to avoid administrative and operational disruptions.

The panel, which met under the chairmanship of MNA Pullain Baloch, also directed the ministry to initiate the process of appointing heads of organizations at least 30 days before the completion of tenure or retirement of incumbents in future.

During the meeting, members raised strong reservations over delays in appointments at PTV, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), and other attached departments, warning that prolonged vacancies were affecting institutional performance and governance. The committee also expressed concern over the delay in the announcement of the Wage Board Award.

Briefing the committee, Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, said that PTV had long suffered from administrative irregularities, political interference, and what he described as an entrenched “mafia.” He told the committee that political recruitments over the years had resulted in massive overstaffing, making the organization financially and operationally unsustainable.

“PTV cannot be run effectively with 10,000 employees,” the minister said, adding, “Either the mafia will remain or I will both cannot coexist.” He said successive governments had contributed to the current state of the organization, but emphasized that reforms were now unavoidable. Committee members questioned the ministry over renovation and refurbishment works at PTV allegedly carried out without proper tendering, as well as issues relating to employee salaries and overall performance. In response, the committee sought complete records related to PTV’s financial and administrative matters for further scrutiny.

On the legislative front, the committee was informed that in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Mustafa Impex case and subsequent directions of the Federal Cabinet, the ministry had proposed amendments to relevant laws to replace the term “Federal Government” with appropriate competent authorities. The committee unanimously approved amendments to the PEMRA Ordinance 2002, the Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1973, and the Associated Press of Pakistan Ordinance 2002.

Regarding the Wage Board Award, Minister Tarar assured the committee that it would be announced at the earliest.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025