JournalismPakistan.com | Published January 30, 2013
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ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari launched the English-language PTV World Tuesday by pressing a button and said he takes pride in upholding media freedom.
The new channel coming after the success of PTV Sports will telecast news, current affairs and entertainment programs.
JournalismPakistan.com was the first to report on January 26 the launch date of the channel.
“PTV World’s programming will highlight the capabilities of our people with a special emphasis on our youth,” Yousuf Baig Mirza, PTV’s Managing Director said in an introduction on the channel’s website.
“It will be the channel’s objective to deliver a balance of news and infotainment while encouraging new talent to join our cause of showcasing Pakistan’s true potential.”
The state-run PTV World’s slogan is ‘Changing Perspectives’ and by “eliminating the language barrier between Pakistan and the rest of the world, this channel will act as the unbiased voice of the country and portray the truth directly from the source,” Yousuf said.
Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said at the launch the government of President Zardari had shown unflinching commitment to the freedom of expression, access to information and informed accountability.
The PTV World website displays names, pictures and profiles of anchors, among them Sidra Iqbal, Faisal Qureshi, Sadia Hayat, Fasi Zaki and Dr. Moeed Pirzada.
The main programs to be aired include Spotlight (hosted by Sidra Iqbal), Unwind (Sohail Hashmi), Perspectives (Faisal Qureshi), Gateway (Fasi Zaka) and Analyzed (Dr. Moeed Pirzada).
Some of the other programs are Weekend World, Mind your English, World Tonight, Defence and Diplomacy, Viewer’s Digest (General Knowledge Edition) and Viewer’s Digest (Lifestyle Edition).
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