Senate panel on IB&NH meets to discuss priorities

ISLAMABAD, May 9 (APP):Senate Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and Literary Heritage held its first meeting after election of its chairman this week to discuss their priority areas and issues which they would like to focus in coming meetings of the committee.
The members said the Pakistan Television had the services of senior producers and technicians enjoying good salaries and perks but it was observed that it was purchasing teleplays and other programmes from the private sector which was proving costly to the institution.
They said they would like to know what were the factors behind stoppage of PTV’s own production and would advise for revival of the past glory of the national broadcaster.
They also said they would like to take up the issue of exhibition of Indian films in local cinemas which had badly affected the local film production making directors, actors and technicians jobless.
However some members opined that as local film production had hit record low during past few years it was necessary to allow exhibition of Indian films in local circuit to keep local cinemas functional till local films production gets momentum.
They also said decrease in local films production tantamounts to retreat on cultural front which may damaging national identity, so revival of local films should be topmost priority.
They also expressed concern over exhibition of Indian cartoons on the television channels which was having negative impacts on the minds of the children and affecting their diction.
They said they would like that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority should take corrective measures in this regard. Some members also showed their reservations on the contents of morning shows.
It is worth a mention that Senate Standing on Information Broadcasting and National Heritage on Monday held its first meeting and elected Senator Faisal Javed as chairman of the Committee unopposed.
The meeting was chaired by Senator Faisal Javed and attended by Sardar Muhammad Azam Khan Musakhel, Muhammad Tahir Bizenjo, Mushtaq Ahmed and Khushbakht Shujat.