ISLAMABAD:The Sub Committee of the Senate Committee on Information and Broadcasting led by Senator Irfanul Haq Siddiqi on Monday emphasized the importance of addressing issues faced by the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) employees, pensioners in payment of their due medical bills, and extended its full support to resolve them.
The Director General Radio Pakistan informed the committee that the total expenses of the department are 6.5 billion per annum, whereas they are able to generate only 4.5 billion, which does not meet the requirements of the employees.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui said that “Radio Pakistan is our National Heritage and all possible steps will be taken to ensure its development and progress”. The Committee discussed various formulas for revenue generation and also directed the PBC to come up with Business and utilization plan in order to meet the future expenses of institutes.
“We will reach out to the Prime Minister if need be for sustainability of our National asset in the form radio Pakistan” Irfanul Haq Siddique reiterated. The Committee recommended charging Radio fee amounting to Rs500 from all vehicles excluding bikes at the time of registration to generate additional revenue for the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Projects and Development.
The proposal is expected to generate an additional Rs15-billion per annum, as every year more than 30-million vehicles are registered. Additionally, the Committee directed to cease all sorts of activities regarding visitation of unwarranted personnel in the premises of Radio Pakistan.
It was also directed that any sort of activity regarding privatization, renting out or leasing out of the PBC building may also be stopped with immediate effect. The subcommittee sought a list of all the employees, including pensioners, and their financial issues to address them effectively. Additionally, the Committee directed the restoration of Bukhari Auditorium back to its original state with immediate effect.
According to a press release, the Committee’s recommendations are aimed at to support PBC’s projects and development, ensure employee welfare, and ensure seamless operations to continue providing quality broadcasting services to the nation.