Cabinet defers proposal to increase TV licence fee
ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Tuesday deferred the proposed increase in the television licence fee charged from the country’s electricity consumers and also approved amendments to money laundering and terror financing acts as well as the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 to meet Financial Action Task Force (FATF) requirements.
The cabinet, which met with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair, also lauded the government’s decision to make public assets by advisers and special assistants to the prime minister and stressed the need to ensure uninterrupted supply of wheat/flour and stability in prices.
“Today the proposal to increase TV fee from Rs35 to Rs100 was placed before the cabinet which was deferred,” Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said during his press conference after the cabinet meeting.
He said the cabinet discussed in detail the reasons behind the proposal to increase TV licence fee. The meeting was apprised of the dismal state of Pakistan Television (PTV), which was on the brink of collapse due to faulty policies of the previous governments and overstaffing without merit, he added.
“Once the PTV, Pakistan Steel Mills and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) were our pride, but due to corruption and faulty policies of the former rulers, these entities are on the verge of disaster,” Mr Faraz said.
“The [previous rulers] destroyed institutions, earned money and made political inductions in these institutions in violation of merit,” the minister said, adding that it was the PTI government which had held them accountable for their misdeeds.
He said PTV’s restructuring required ample amount which was why an increase in TV licence fee was recommended.
“PTV will be restructured as its equipment and cameras are outdated with no production (programmes) taking place,” he added.
Newspaper: Dawn
Related link: The News, Tribune, Business Recorder, APP
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