New Pakistan Television channel to begin 24-hour transmission
ISLAMABAD- Secretary Information Khawaja Ijaz Sarwar said a new PTV channel is expected to start 24-hour transmission either from the end of the month or the Beginning of April. Regarding its name, he said it has not yet been finalised. However, “PTV Plus is one of the suggested names. The final decision will be taken by the cabinet,” he added. Sarwar said that the channel would also beam entertainment programmes, but primarily it would be a news and current affairs medium.
Speaking at a function organised at PTV-2 here, he said the introduction of private channels will not hurt the interests of PTV but will herald a more creative and competitive era that will offer quality programmes to viewers. The secretary assured that the government would follow a transparent and fair policy vis-a-vis introduction of new channels. “The government is firm in its commitment that the introduction of private channels will not be at the cost of PTV and will provide a fair field for competitions he added.
Ijaz Sarwar, who is also chairman of Pakistan Television, asked PTV employees not to fear any adverse impact of new channels and instead invest all their energies to raise the quality of their programmes. “The more the channels, the more the competition and hence a higher standard of TV programmes, he added.
The secretary hoped that in view of its recent financial success, each centre of the PTV would be able to generate revenues from market forces. In response to the demands of PTV Trust Union leaders, he assured his all-out support for materialisation of the already announced 35 per cent raise in the basic pay of the channel’s employees. He said a meeting of the PTV Board of Directors would consider whether it was empowered to implement the decision.
Sarwar announced that the outstanding performers among the PTV employees would, from now on, receive cash awards of Rs 5,000 each in addition to merit certificates. He asked the PTV managing director to increase the Haj quota for PTV employees from two to three from next year. To a question, he said cable operators would be required to show Pakistani channels as was, the case in other countries. The cable operators would choose a bouquet of channels to be offered with each package having Pakistani channels, he added.
On the occasion, PTV Managing Director Yousaf Beg Mirza said that the channel would take on the challenge of private channels and with commitment and maximization of resources would attain higher standards. The secretary, and the PTV managing director appreciated PTV World, Chief Khawaja Najmul Hassan for the channel’s rapid success internationally.
Source: The News
Date:3/9/2000
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