Government has no criterion for running ads on private TV channels, NA told

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published December 07, 2014

ISLAMABAD:  The government has no set criteria for selecting private TV channels to air its advertisements, the National Assembly was told last month.

This issue was raised on November 26 when the government told the lower house that since June 2013 it has spent over Rs500 million on advertisements on private TV channels. During the Question Hour, PPPP’s legislator Nafisa Shah had asked about money the government spent on advertisements on electronic media during 2013-14. A list detailing Rs240 million paid to 56 TV channels was also shared with the National Assembly.

After the explanation over the total money – Rs594 million - spent on the government ads and the payments made uptil now – Rs306 million –  MQM legislator Syed Asif Hasnain asked about the “authority” which gives approval to these ads and the criteria for selecting a private TV channel for running those ads. “Some channels have been given more ads than others and in some cases double payments have been made,” he added.

Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha, Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting, frankly informed the House that unlike the print media no criteria or standard has been prepared for government ads on private TV channels since the country opened its airwaves in 2002. “There was no standard in the previous government and even before that. Right now also there is none.” However, he quickly added that for the first time the government under the directions of the Prime Minister is working on  developing a criteria. The secretary tried to explain some contours of the policy such as viewership of TV channels, and their rates.

Distributed via cable networks today Pakistan has more than 90 private satellite TV channels. They are becoming the first source of news/information for a large number of people. In July 2013, according to a Gallup Pakistan survey, the Cable TV viewership reached 64%, up from 55% in 2010.  

Sindhi journalist AD Shar brutally murdered, PFUJ declares three-day mourning

 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.

AJK government registers case against newspaper and staff

 April 10, 2025:  The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.

Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges FIA threats, possible arrest over reporting

 April 08, 2025:  Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.

Noorani’s missing brothers: Court orders IG to produce individuals

 April 07, 2025:  The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.

Journalist Farhan Mallick granted bail

 April 07, 2025:  Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.

Ghulam Abbas Shah joins Discover Pakistan as Head of Programming

 April 03, 2025:  Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.

PFUJ condemns Pakistani journalists' visit to Israel as an ethical violation

 April 02, 2025:  The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.

Can films fight terrorism? Dawn raises doubts

 March 30, 2025:  Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?