PTV Parliament channel set to go on air, PAC told

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 24 January 2018

The Public Accounts Committee was informed about the upcoming PTV Parliament channel, aimed at broadcasting live parliamentary sessions. The committee expressed support for the initiative, emphasizing its potential to build national trust in parliamentary activities.

Summary

ISLAMABAD - Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was informed Wednesday that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is all set to launch a new channel - Pakistan Television Parliament - for providing live coverage of parliament sessions and standing committees.

The PAC appreciated the ministry’s plan saying that this step will surely build the trust of the entire nation in the parliament.

Information Secretary Sardar Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera, while briefing the committee, said that the idea for live coverage of parliament proceedings came from the Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb.

The committee also directed the secretary to give a presentation to PAC meeting on the PTV Parliament channel next week.

Replying to question, Ahmed Sukhera said the ministry gets three times more supplementary grant as the government has decided to launch an advertising campaign.

Shafqat Mahmood insisted the secretary inform about the social media wing established in the prime minister house. The secretary said that he was not aware of any information about this wing.

The PAC also directed the ministry of information to present the detail of advertisements of last 10 years.

Replying to another question, Ahmed Sukhera said that the secret fund was closed in 2013.

He informed the committee that around 23 press chancellors are posted in the foreign countries.

Replying to the pay and ability of former Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (PEMRA) Chairman Absar Alam, the secretary said that Absar Alam was being paid Rs15 million and facilities equal to MP-1. - APP