Islamabad (HRNW)- Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said that the government is committed to ensuring that no media employee loses their job due to the expansion of digital media, while emphasizing support for both print and electronic media.
The remarks were made during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information, chaired by Senator Sarmad Ali. During the meeting, committee members criticized the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) over data presented in a previous session, with senators demanding accountability for the information submitted.
Briefing the committee on social media advertising, Attaullah Tarar said that the 2021 social media policy was revised in 2022, introducing third-party verification systems for views and other performance indicators. He added that the policy has also been adopted by several provinces.
The Information Minister said that while digital media is financially self-sustaining, the government only issues advertisements as required and remains focused on safeguarding media workers. He stated that the government intervened when a television channel laid off employees by suspending its advertisements until many of the workers were reinstated.
Tarar said that under the government’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) with the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), media organizations are expected to clear employees’ outstanding dues whenever the government releases advertising payments.
He emphasized that digital media should not grow at the expense of newspapers and television, adding that under the Advertisement Policy 2024, newspapers will receive greater digital inclusion and support. He also announced that issues regarding the appointment of the ITNE chairman have been resolved and a notification will be issued soon.
During the meeting, the Federal Information Secretary briefed the committee on the National Press Trust, digital advertising expenditures, and the government’s media policies. Committee members also stressed the importance of strengthening the print media sector.
The Information Minister further announced reforms to the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC), saying it will be merged with the Registrar Office to establish a modern and transparent institution. A committee has also been formed to modernize the ABC system.
The committee also discussed concerns regarding a film produced under the name of Bulleh Shah. Attaullah Tarar said the reasons behind using the revered historical figure’s name for the film should be investigated. Senator Pervez Rashid criticized the film and questioned how it was approved by the Central Film Censor Board, arguing that it misrepresented the legacy of the renowned Sufi poet.
Speaking about Pakistan Television (PTV), Tarar said the state broadcaster has become financially stable for the first time and is currently the only television channel in Pakistan broadcasting the FIFA World Cup. He added that salaries have been paid on time throughout the past year and that PTV plans to resume its own productions during the current year.
The committee also sought reports on resolving pension-related issues affecting retired employees of Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and Radio Pakistan, while discussing measures to improve revenue generation from PTV and Radio Pakistan properties.
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