Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar says that he faced criticism for hiring female anchor for Ramadan program.
The meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting was chaired by Pauline Baloch. Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, while speaking in the committee, said that private sector anchors are not willing to come to PTV. Criticism over hiring female anchors for Ramadan program was faced.
The Information Minister said that when there were recommendations in PTV, no one objected. There was a researcher who was paid Rs 1.5 lakh who was made an anchor for Rs 6 lakh. Only recommendation anchors were allowed to put on TV from morning to evening. Recommendation recruits were sent home. Instead of Rs 1 million, I will bring them at Rs 2 million, no one should object. Recommendation recruits destroyed PTV. We are all involved in the destruction of PTV.
He said that they do not disclose salaries. This is not the PWD or Works Department, this is the media. When such scrutiny is done, no one will be willing to come to PTV. I do not want to spoil the future of anchors. It is true that traditional media is facing problems due to digital media. There has been a request from TV channels regarding advertisements not to restrict us so that we can pay salaries on time.
Chairman Committee
The Chairman Committee said that the attitude of the Ministry of Information is not positive. We will cut our necks and will not back down. We will cut our necks and will not back down. We are parliamentarians and will not allow ourselves to be insulted. The committee should get information on time.
Sahar Kamran
Member Committee Sahar Kamran said that the ministry did not give satisfactory answers to the questions asked in the last meeting. Details of new recruits in PTV, radio and the ministry’s institutions were not given. We did not get information. What does market rate mean?
Sahar Kamran further said that information was given but many names were not included in it. The fifth meeting is being held and information is not being given. We are not saying who has been appointed, but rather tell us the salary package.
Sheikh Waqas Akram
Sheikh Waqas Akram said that if the information sought by the committee is not provided, the committee has the authority to issue an arrest warrant. If the information is not provided, then action should be taken against the officer who does not provide the information. The ministry has written next to the salaries of the anchors that what kind of response is this according to the market rate.
Ghafoor Haideri
Ghafoor Haideri said that one TV station in the entire Balochistan is not enough. In view of the national situation, try to bring a balance.
