Islamabad, January 11, 2025: Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) is on the brink of a financial collapse, drawing comparisons to the struggles of Pakistan Steel Mills. The state broadcaster is grappling with a worsening financial crisis, leaving it unable to pay employee salaries and pensioners’ dues.
According SUB NEWS sources, PTV currently owes salaries to its employees and has failed to clear the outstanding payments of 320 pensioners. Despite repeated delays, the PTV administration has remained silent on the matter, prompting both employees and pensioners to write to the Federal Minister of Information, highlighting their dire situation.
In their letter, pensioners also referenced a decision made by the Federal Ombudsman two years ago regarding their payments, which the PTV administration has yet to implement. The PTV Employees Union confirmed the non-payment of salaries, describing the situation as a result of severe mismanagement.
Chaudhry Farooq, Secretary General of the PTV Employees Union, attributed the crisis to mismanagement within the organization. He alleged that funds meant for employee salaries were diverted to settle payments with the International Cricket Council (ICC), leading to delays in payroll disbursement.
“PTV’s mismanagement has plunged the organization into losses,” said Farooq, adding that the broadcaster is now seeking loans from private banks to pay salaries. However, no agreement has been finalized so far, further exacerbating the uncertainty faced by employees and pensioners.
In light of the financial crisis, the PTV Employees Union has called an emergency meeting for Tuesday to formulate a strategy for addressing the situation. “We will announce our plan of action based on the circumstances,” Farooq said. The current crisis paints a grim picture of PTV’s financial health, with employees and pensioners left to bear the brunt of the organization’s ongoing struggles. The lack of timely intervention could further erode trust in the state broadcaster’s ability to function effectively.
