Islamabad, July 2, 2025: The All Pakistan PTV Pensioners Alliance and former senior officers of Pakistan Television (PTV) have voiced serious concern over the federal governments abrupt decision to abolish the TV license fee without presenting a sustainable financial alternative for the national broadcaster.
In a series of meetings held in Islamabad, attended by former Managing Directors, News Division Directors, Controllers, senior officials of PTV, and members of the Pensioners Alliance, participants condemned the move, terming it a hasty and ill-considered action that threatens the very existence of the state-run media institution.
The attendees emphasized that PTV has historically served as a vital pillar of national security and a custodian of Pakistans cultural heritage. We are duty-bound to ensure that PTV survives as a financially viable entity, read a communique issued at the conclusion of the meeting.
The participants unanimously resolved to launch a three-pronged strategy to secure PTVs future, which includes engaging in negotiations with the federal government, pursuing legal action, and initiating protest as a last resort. A four-member committee will be formed to lead negotiations with the government, while a three-member legal team will explore avenues to challenge the decision in relevant judicial forums.
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Criticizing the lack of consultation prior to the policy shift, the pensioners and former officers lamented that no input was sought from media professionals or key stakeholders before eliminating the license fee, which had previously been collected via electricity bills.
They warned that the decision could demoralize PTV employees, leading to reduced professional performance and a sense of insecurity across the organization. The participants also drew attention to international practices, noting that countries such as the United Kingdom and Japan continue to collect similar license fees to support their public broadcasters.
The alliance urged the government to promptly address the concerns of PTV pensioners, whose livelihoods are already under stress, and to provide both financial and technical support to the national broadcaster. This, they argued, is crucial not only to preserve cultural identity but also to counter the rising challenges of fifth-generation warfare and misinformation.
The communique concluded with a strong appeal for immediate government intervention to protect the future of PTV and ensure its capacity to effectively represent Pakistan on both domestic and international platforms.
