ISLAMABAD: State-run Pakistan Television (PTV) has suffered billions of rupees in losses which left its over 300 retired employees on the mercy of God, THE INQUIRER has learnt reliably.
As per available information, these former employees are waiting for payment of their dues for past two years. Not only this, the financial crunch of the organization also badly affected current employees.
“We are even unable to fulfill our basic necessities as crediting our salaries becomes routine matter from past few months,” said an employee.
A dozens of employees also staged a protest to press the authorities concerned to resolve the financial issues of the organization. They also have rejected the actions of the unauthorized PTV board that they termed “an illegal board”. They highlighted the termination of credit-based medical facilities for pensioners and pointed out that no increases have been made to pensions over the last five years.
Demonstrators carried placards with slogans like “Save PTV from Corrupt Mafia” and urged both the PTV management and the Federal Minister for Information to take immediate action. A large number of pensioners from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and Peshawar participated in the protest, calling for justice.
Speakers at the protest demanded the restoration of medical facilities for pensioners. Former PTV Union President Pervez Bhatti and General Secretary Shaheen Iqbal addressed the participants, voicing their support. Renowned journalist Nasir Zaidi and others also expressed solidarity with the pensioners.
The protest was led by Muhammad Ashraf of the All Pakistan Pensioners Alliance. He called on the government to immediately meet the legitimate demands of elderly pensioners. He warned that if their demands were not addressed, the protest would escalate and move to the Parliament House.
Ashraf also announced that the pensioners would stage another demonstration in front of the PTV headquarters on February 6.
As per sources, the state run channel is reached in the situation due to due to overspending in sports, programme production and current affairs departments.
The media organisation is currently running through makeshift arrangements. In addition to the top post of the managing director, its key departments are also managed through ad-hoc appointments.
Due to overspending in multiple departments, the financial health of the state broadcaster “is dire” rendering it unable to pay the general provident (GP) and contributory provident (CP) funds as well.
During 2023-24, the PTV suffered a loss of almost Rs30 million whereas in 2022-23 the profit was almost Rs870 million. A report on the PTV’s financial health warned that “the loss will increase alarmingly”
