Ptv Parliament Channel To Be Launched Soon; PAC Informed

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Ptv Parliament channel to be launched soon; PAC informed

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was informed here Wednesday that Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage has all set to launch new channel Pakistan Television Parliament for giving live coverage to the Sessions of Parliament proceedings and standing committees

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jan, 2018 ) :Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was informed here Wednesday that Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage has all set to launch new channel Pakistan Television Parliament for giving live coverage to the Sessions of Parliament proceedings and standing committees.

The PAC appreciated the plan of ministry saying that this step will surely build the trust of entire nation on the parliament. The Audit PARAS of the ministry of information were presented in the PAC meeting which met here under the chairmanship of MNA, Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah and also attended by the MNA's, Syed Naveed Qamar, Shafqat Mahmood, Arif Alvi, Azra Fazal Pechuho and Senator Azam Swati, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Secretary Information and representative of the other concerned officials.

Secretary Information, Sardar Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera while briefing the committee said the idea for live coverage of parliament proceedings was came from the Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb.

The committee also directed the Secretary Information to give a presentation to PAC meeting on the ptv Parliament channel in next week. Replying to question, Ahmad Sukhera said the ministry of information get three times more supplementary grant as the government was decided to launch an advertising campaign.

Shafqat Mahmood insisted the Secretary Information to inform about the social media wing established in the prime minister house. Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera said that he do not have any information about this wing.

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) directed the ministry of information to present advertisements detail of last ten years. Replying to another question, the secretary information said that the secret fund was closed in 2013.

He said that the ministry has cooperation with Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) without any financial assistance. He informed the committee that around 23 press chancellors are posted in the foreign countries.

Replying to body about the pay and ability of former Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (PEMRA) Absar Alam, secretary said that Absar Alam was being paid Rs 1.5 million and facilities equal to MP-1.

Shafqat Mahmood lauded the ministry for taking action against those involved in women harassment in Ptv. Secretary Information said that we are bringing reforms in Ptv. Chairman PAC has directed to constitute a sub-committee on Ptv under the chairmanship of Shafqat Mahmood which will report to the committee in 15 days.

The committee also discussed the matter of Radio Pakistan for giving its air time to a private company. Radio Pakistan has signed an agreement with a private firm under which the firm was bound to take business of Rs 90 million while the private firm could only take 80 mln.

The committee was informed that despite not fulfilling its contract, the private firm was again awarded the contract of two years more. Chairman PAC directed to punish the person who awarded the contract and present the report in next fifteen days.

He also directed to complete the necessary process of tender's announcement before awarding of contracts. The ministry of information broadcasting presented its audit report in the meeting under which it issued advertisement of Rs 240.5 million while violating the rules and regulations.

The ministry has also lack of proper mechanism to check whether the tv channels have aired the government adds or not in free time. Syed Khurshid Shah directed the ministry to formulate a policy in one month regarding awarding of ads to the electronic media adding, PAC will ask the government to implement it.

PAC Chairman also directed the officials of National Book Foundation (NBF) to open book stalls in all universities across the country and consult with Higher education Commission (HEC) in this regard.