Pakistan's economic managers have raised serious concern over the rising number of organisations and entities that seek government funding very late to meet their regular and operational expenses.
During discussions in a recent meeting, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet observed with concern that a growing number of organisations and entities "seek government funding belatedly through the Finance Division, as a result of not having budgeted such expenditures proactively".
The ECC directed the Information and Broadcasting Division to prepare a comprehensive roadmap of financial sustainability to shoulder its own expenditures and present the plan to the committee by the end of September 2026.
Furthermore, it was highlighted that Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) should establish a mechanism for the collection of licence fee in order to generate revenue and mitigate the perpetuation of the cyclical reliance on off-budget funding. It was pointed out that PTV had a sizable strength of organisational staff, particularly in comparison with leading private news channels, which was not commensurate with its revenue.
The Information and Broadcasting Division, while responding to the observations, asserted that PTV had a much broader geographical outreach, which increased human resources as well as operational costs whereas the private channels were confined only to the urban areas of the country. Moreover, some members of the Economic Coordination Committee suggested that PTV may opt for revitalisation through increased focus on creating drama/performing arts content. The forum, after detailed deliberation, approved the proposal and directed the Information and Broadcasting Division to prepare a comprehensive roadmap of financial sustainability to shoulder its own expenditures and present it by the end of September 2026.
The Broadcasting Division briefed the ECC that PTV, operating under the Companies Act, 2017 and the administrative control of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, as per the Rules of Business, 1973, was a dynamic public service broadcaster contributing to national integration and development. "It showcases a vibrant, progressive, tolerant, inclusive and peaceful Pakistan by highlighting the country's cultural diversity," the division said.
The ministry further apprised the ECC that the corporation, being Pakistan's national public service broadcaster, was required to sustain uninterrupted nationwide broadcasting operation. "In this regard, PTV is obligated to meet substantial recurring expenditures pertaining to its operations as well as national and international commitments, including pay and allowances, utility charges, satellite and transmission costs, programme production, security services, contractual payments and essential running expenses."
The Information and Broadcasting Division approached the Finance Division, seeking concurrence for an amount of Rs20 billion, in favour of PTV for financial year 2026-27. In response, the Finance Division approved Rs13 billion, to be released quarterly at Rs3.25 billion per quarter, and advised the broadcasting ministry to move a summary for obtaining a technical supplementary grant of Rs13 billion. In view of the foregoing, the Information and Broadcasting Division solicited the approval of the ECC for the release of Rs13 billion into the assignment account titled "Pakistan Television Corporation" during the current financial year to enable PTV to meet its regular and operational expenses, as proposed in para-4 of a summary.
The Economic Coordination Committee considered the summary titled "Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs13 billion in favour of Pakistan Television Corporation for the Year 2026-27" and approved the proposal with the stipulation that funds would be released by the Finance Division on a quarterly basis, ie, Rs3.25 billion each quarter.
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