JournalismPakistan.com | Published November 26, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Television (PTV) was at its creative best on Monday as it marked its 54th birthday with a gripping advertisement published in leading newspapers.
Under the title Meray Aziz Humwatnoo, the state-run organization’s new marketing team intelligently incorporates names and slogans of several channels in the text - a unique way of saying thank you to them, and its loyal viewers.
Addressing its viewers, the ad nostalgically recalls those early days of black and white pictures.
“You (AAP) would remember our first meeting. How colorful was black and white. I remember the time even today (Aaj) you embraced me and I added your colors to my pictures,” goes the text, loosely translated from Urdu.
“Khyber (AVT Khyber) with its bravery, the friendship of Indus (Indus News), Ravi’s (Ravi TV) zeal and the hospitality of Bolan lent us their individual colors. Then, besides Urdu (Urdu 1), we began talking to the Public (Public TV) in five (Channel 5) languages.”
The advert grips the reader at the outset as PTV tells its success story spanning more than half a century. It continues to play intelligently with the names of Pakistani TV channels.
“Waqt (Waqt News) tied us up. We stayed awake (Jaag) for so many nights. We looked after each other. Dunya (Dunya News) saw our stars (Hum Sitaray) with envy. Our friendship began to soar as high as K-2. (K-2 TV).
The advertisement then brings in the names of 92 News, Samaa, Channel 7, Din News, Channel 24, and Sach, as it sums up PTV’s remarkable, and eventful story through the years.
“With your love, life (ARY Zindagi) turned a weakling like me into a mighty and shady oak that spread its branches in all directions every day (Roze).”
The ad’s creators then briefly incorporate some of the popular slogans of television channels, among them those of Express News, Geo, and TVOne.
In conclusion, the ad points to a new day, a new morning when everything seems nice and fresh and tells viewers their company even today is fragrant like a freshly bloomed flower.
“This is a story of half a century, not one that spans just a few years. Thank you.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.