Islamabad, July 21, 2026: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to strengthen its regulatory mechanism for more effective oversight of the electronic media sector and urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to take up the issue of timely salary payments to media workers with media organisations.
The committee, chaired by MNA Pullain Baloch, met at PEMRA Headquarters in Islamabad to review the performance of the regulator and its Councils of Complaints in fulfilling their statutory responsibilities.
PEMRA Chairperson and Executive Member (Operations) briefed the committee on the authority’s regulatory framework, organisational structure and operational performance. The committee was informed that PEMRA’s mandate under the law is to facilitate and regulate electronic media while ensuring compliance with the Electronic Media Code of Conduct.
Officials told the committee that amendments made to the PEMRA Act in 2023 empowered the authority to hear complaints related to the non-payment of salaries to electronic media workers. They added that the amendments also strengthened the regulator’s enforcement powers.
The committee was briefed on the number of complaints received and disposed of by PEMRA and its Councils of Complaints. It was informed that the councils at both the federal and provincial levels are authorised to hear complaints and recommend punitive or corrective measures to the PEMRA Authority where necessary.
The officials further informed lawmakers that the Councils of Complaints for Islamabad and Balochistan had been notified, while summaries for the constitution of the remaining councils were awaiting approval from the competent authority.
The committee called for the strict implementation of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct, particularly regarding television dramas and advertisements, to ensure that broadcast content remains consistent with the country’s social and religious values.
Lawmakers also recommended linking the clearance of government dues owed to media organisations with the timely payment of salaries to media employees.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, members of the committee, including Saad Waseem, Nadeem Abbas, Asia Naz Tanoli, Romina Khurshid Alam, Kiran Haider, Shaheen, Sehar Kamran, Syed Amin Ul Haque, Rana Ansar, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri and Kiran Imran Dar, along with the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the PEMRA Chairperson and other senior officials.
