Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday announced to introduce major restructuring and reforms in Pakistan State Television, PTV with final steps for the completion of its HD project.
In a series of tweets, he asserted that he will be pacing up the projects that he initiated in 2018 with PTV being converted to HD by June 1st. “From June 1, PTV News will be converted to full HD and PTV Sports will also become an HD channel this year,” he added.
Fawad Chaudhry said that the project has been pending since 2019. In addition to turning it HD, an English-language channel will also be launched this year as a part of the overhaul reforms.
Moreover, PTV studios in Karachi and Lahore will be renovated with a public-private partnership. The state-run news agency, Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) will be revamped to the digital news agency.
وزارت اطلاعات میں اصلاحات کا جو سلسلہ 2018 میں شروع کیا تھا اسے وہیں سے دوبارہ شروع کیا جا رہا ہے، #PTVNews کو HD کرنے کا منصوبہ جو 2019 سے التواء میں تھا یکم جون تک مکمل کرنے کی ڈیڈ لائین دی ہے انشاللہ یکم جون سے #PTVNews مکمل HD پر چلاجائیگا، اسی سال #PTVSports بھی HDکریں گے
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 21, 2021
Steps are being taken to make Press Information Department and the advertising completely paperless. The external publicity wing of PID will also be reorganized.
Fawad Chaudhry added that the revival of films and dramas will be his top priority and has rolled out some significant productions. The ministry is also working on the production of documentaries on Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Tipu Sultan.
پرنٹ اور ٹی وی میڈیا سے وابستہ صحافیوں کیلئے وزیر اعظم ہاؤسنگ پراجیکٹ سے ذاتی گھر اور صحت کارڈ کی سہولت دیں گے ، تنخواہوں کی ادائیگی لازمی کرنے کیلئے قانون سازی اور انشورنس لا رہے ہیں، پریس کلب کو سہولتیں دینا بھی میری پالیسی ہو گی۔ Digital Media کو مکمل سپورٹ دیں گے
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 21, 2021
“Work has started on world-class production (of documentaries) on the lives of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Tipu Sultan,” said Fawad Chaudhry.
The Kamyab Jawan Programme would provide loans of Rs 50 million to young drama and filmmakers.
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Houses and Insaf Sehat Cards would be provided to journalists working in print and electronic media.
Legislation is being worked upon to ensure mandatory payments to journalists in print and electronic media that will overcome the problem of delayed payments.
“I will also ensure that press clubs provide maximum facilities to their members. Digital media will get my full support, too,” the minister said.
With a series of proposed projects, it is expected that PTV will become a leading media organization in Pakistan in the coming years.
Fawad Chaudhry had brought significant development to the Ministry of Science and Technology during his brief stay.
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He is expected to deliver for the development of the media industry in Pakistan, particularly PTV, with the same determination and enthusiasm.
PTV is in dire need of crucial modernization to meet international standards and enter the competitive market.