ISLAMABAD, January 13 (PPI/APP): The Pakistan Television Corporation has become financially viable in a short span of two years and will launch a new major initiative “Mideast Time” channel from Eid-ul-Fitr, which would strengthen bonds of fraternity with Muslim countries as well as with large number of Pakistanis living in the Middle East.

Mideast Time transmission would initially be in the afternoon and later during prime time. It would be a landmark after the launch of PTV World channel last year, said Federal Minister for Information and Media Development Mushahid Hussain Sayed at a news briefing at PTV headquarters here on Wednesday.

Chairman PTV Senator Pervez Rashid, Managing Director PTV Yousuf Baig Mirza and Director General Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Syed Anwar Mahmud were also present. The Minister said the launch of Mideast Time would lead to cultural interaction as well as exchange of information with the Islamic countries including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

He announced that PTV Eid-ul-Fitr week long festival comprising entertainment and other programmes would begin from January 18, with daily transmission from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. It would also be telecast on PTV World whose transmission would now be extended from midnight to 3 a.m., he added.

Mushahid said PTV employees would get their first bonus before Eid-ul-Fitr. He lauded the induction of fresh talent and ideas in PTV and said the corporation now has close interaction with its viewers and others.

Source: The News
Date:1/14/1999