Fee collected with electricity bill 68 percent of PTV earning

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published December 16, 2019

ISLAMABAD — The National Assembly was told last week that Pakistan Television Corporation and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) earned Rs11.5 billion and Rs5.5 billion respectively in the previous year.

During the question hour on Friday, PMLN’s legislator Maryam Aurangzeb wanted to know the amount earned by PTV and Radio Pakistan last year. She was also interested in knowing the expenditure of PTV and Radio Pakistan during the year.

The written response shows that PTV’s Rs11.5 billion earning includes Rs7.9 billion in PTV fee collected along with electricity bills from consumers in Pakistan. In other words, the PTV fee collected with the electricity bill is 68 percent of the corporation’s annual earning. PTV’s income from advertising is Rs3.1 billion. The organization’s yearly expenditure is Rs11.2 billion, according to the reply.

Out of the Rs5.5 billion income of PBC, Rs5.2 billion are contributed by a grant-in-aid from the federal government. PBC’s revenue from advertising is Rs263 million, and the annual expenditure is Rs5.7 billion. 

In February 2019, the National Assembly was told that the TV license fee was included in electricity bills from July 2004 through Finance Act 2004-05. In 2004 the license fee was Rs25 for domestic and Rs60 for commercial consumers. Both the slabs were increased by Rs10 each in 2010.

Even a win can't hide Pakistan's structural collapse in cricket

 June 11, 2025:  Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.

Journalists stage walkout at post-budget briefing over government's dismissive attitude

 June 11, 2025:  Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.

Legal storm brews as Dr. Nauman Niaz serves defamation notice on Shoaib Akhtar

 May 31, 2025:  Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.

HRCP urges complete repeal of PECA, citing threats to free speech and civil liberties

 May 30, 2025:  The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.

PFUJ condemns murder of journalist Syed Mohammad Shah, urges immediate justice

 May 30, 2025:  The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.

State within a state? Police block reinstated Jang employees from resuming duties

 May 26, 2025:  In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.

PFUJ slams Jang Group's 'economic massacre' after mass firing of over 80 workers

 May 25, 2025:  PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.

Labor rights trampled: Daily Jang defies court, terminates over 80 employees

 May 25, 2025:  Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.