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ISLAMABAD, Jan 15 (APP):Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Thursday said that all salary and pension dues of Pakistan Television (PTV) employees have been cleared and the state broadcaster currently has no outstanding liabilities.
He was briefing the sub-committee of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, chaired by convener Nadeem Abbas, which was also attended by senior officials of the ministry and PTV.
The minister said concerns had been raised after the removal of the PTV fee from electricity bills, stressing the impression that the organisation would not be able to function was incorrect. “The ministry has sufficient funds and reports about non-payment of salaries at PTV are baseless,” he said.
Tarar informed the meeting that PTV was undergoing administrative and institutional reforms, particularly in the human resources sector.
He said that for the first time in the history of PTV, a Director Human Resources had been appointed, and the record of all employees had been fully digitised, making staff data readily available.
He also rejected allegations of favouritism in the recruitment of anchors, saying all current appointments had been made strictly on merit and without any recommendations.
“There is zero tolerance for any compromise on merit in these matters,” he added, noting that competitive salaries were offered where required.
Highlighting the performance of PTV Sports, the minister said the channel was running in a better manner and had started attracting advertisements.
He said Alia Rasheed had been appointed as head of PTV Sports, describing her as a respected name in sports journalism.
Secretary Information and Broadcasting Ashfaq Ahmad Khalil briefed the meeting on the formation of the PTV Board, saying that a summary would be sent to the federal cabinet for approval.
Later, the members of the sub-committee appreciated the regular participation of the information minister in the meetings and stressed the need to continue the process of institutional reforms to further strengthen the state broadcaster.