JournalismPakistan.com | Published February 21, 2019
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was informed on Thursday about the lack of reconciliation between the TV license fee collected by Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) and the amount remitted to Pakistan Television (PTV).
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said there is no procedure of reconciliation of such collection and deposit to PTV. “PTV completely depends on PEPCO data and whatever is remitted to PTV is acknowledged.”
He was responding to a question by Pakistan Peoples Party legislator Abdul Qadir Patel on various aspects of the TV license fee in the electricity bills. The PPP lawmaker had asked about “year-wise collection of such fee from each distribution company and deposit thereof in the accounts of electricity during the last ten years” and the “ procedure of reconciliation of such collection and deposit by PTV and collecting companies.”
However, the minister added the present PTV management is analyzing the whole data provided by PEPCO and observed that there are amounts which have been received by PEPCO, but due to some procedural issue, the same has not been remitted to PTV. “PTV management is now in touch with PEPCO and trying to reconcile and collect the unpaid amounts.”
Chaudhry said TV license fee was included in electricity bills from July 2004, adding that the National Assembly empowered the government to charge TV Fee in electricity bills through Finance Act, 20042005.
The minister informed the house that in 2004 the license fee was Rs25 for domestic and Rs60 for domestic consumers. Both the slabs were increased by Rs10 each in 2010.
April 30, 2025: Freedom of expression in Pakistan is under threat, as the 2025 Freedom Network report reveals increased arrests, censorship, and legal restrictions following amendments to PECA, posing serious risks to journalists and democratic values.
April 30, 2025: Dawn has criticized the Indian media's calls for war and condemned the banning of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, urging a rational response after the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
April 28, 2025: India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets and individual journalists, following the deadly Pahalgam attack. Tensions escalate as Islamabad demands a neutral probe.
April 23, 2025: Pakistani journalists respond in unison to a post hinting at a possible Indian military strike. Citing the 2019 ‘Swift Retort,’ they warn of a stronger response if provoked again.
April 21, 2025: After being expelled from PTI, MNA Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists and Aleema Khan, sparking outrage on social media over his offensive remarks.
April 21, 2025: Journalist Sanaullah Khan reveals that the FIA has launched a financial crackdown on YouTubers by freezing the bank accounts of journalists and their family members—raising serious concerns over freedom of expression and legal process.
April 20, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz launched his fifteenth book, In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple and Triple Centuries 1876–2025, at an elegant Islamabad event, reflecting on cricket’s rarest feats and his journey as a scholar of the game.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.
April 22, 2025 Once a beacon of hope for Pakistan's cricket revival, the Pakistan Super League now grapples with stagnation and moral compromises. Can this cultural symbol reclaim its lost soul?
April 21, 2025 An Italian newspaper, Il Foglio, successfully published a month-long AI-written insert and praised its irony and analytical abilities, while affirming that AI will complement—not replace—quality journalism.
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.