Delayed fund requests perturb ECC

The Express Tribune reported that the Economic Coordination Committee approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs13 billion for Pakistan Television Corporation for 2026-27. The Finance Division will release the amount in quarterly instalments of Rs3.25 billion. The decision came after the committee raised concern about a rising number of bodies seeking late funding to cover regular expenses.

According to the report, the ECC also directed the Information and Broadcasting Division to prepare a financial sustainability roadmap by the end of September 2026. PTV was asked to set up a licence fee collection system to create its own revenue and reduce reliance on off-budget support. Members noted its staffing levels were out of proportion to its revenue, compared with leading private news channels.

The Information and Broadcasting Division responded that PTV reaches a far wider geography than private channels, which concentrate on urban areas, and that this raises staffing and operating costs. It said the broadcaster must meet recurring costs including pay, utilities, satellite and transmission charges, and programme production. Earlier, the Finance Division had approved Rs13 billion against a Rs20 billion request for the year.