PTV to be made profitable organization by June end

ISLAMABAD: Managing Director Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) Arshad Khan has announced that PTV will turn profitable by the end of June 2019 after posting losses over the past many years.

The primary beneficiary of this success will be PTV employees, the MD PTV said in a statement on Wednesday.

Arshad Khan said the current management had inherited huge liabilities running into billions of rupees and a consistent loss generating trend but he was confident that his team would be able to not only stall this trend but would meet the aggressive target doubling the revenue as compared to that of 2017-2018.

Regarding previous liabilities especially those related to pensioners, Arshad Khan stated that various options in this regard were being discussed with the government.

“One of our main focus is to rationalize our expenses in light of the PM’s austerity drive and optimize our revenue streams." He added that the management was geared up to turn around the organization in shortest possible time with the help of its employees.

He reiterated the prime minister’s vision about PTV by saying that PTV will continue to be the custodian of national and cultural values by telecasting family entertainment, credible news and healthy sports besides showcasing the positive and prospering Pakistan to the entire world, which, he added, will attract tourists and investors.

The MD PTV said soon the PTV’s content would be available on all digital media platforms to enhance the ease of viewers globally.

He stressed the need of investing in professional HR, technological upgradation, better operational systems and improved content.

Arshad Khan said PTV had heavily suffered due to mismanagement, nepotism, corruption and external interference and such practices would not be allowed to continue anymore.

He reiterated that PTV was a national asset and it was here to defend the ideological boundaries of Pakistan.

He added that the prime minister wanted to see PTV an efficient and independent state broadcaster like BBC and to be a public service organization that could instil hope and positivity in the society at large. “We are committed to that agenda’’, Arshad added.