On July 15, the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting recommended withholding government advertisements from media organisations that fail to pay employees on time, while also calling for stronger social protection measures for media workers and greater transparency in government advertising and the operations of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
The committee, chaired by Senator Sarmad Ali, met in Islamabad to discuss a range of issues affecting the media sector, including the welfare of media workers, government advertising policies, support for regional media, discrepancies in social media data presented by the NCCIA, and the financial performance of Pakistan Television (PTV).
A meeting focused on the welfare of media workers. The committee recommended withholding government advertisements and revising advertising rates for media organisations that fail to pay salaries and other dues on time. It also recommended that media houses register with the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and provide life insurance coverage for their employees.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar told the committee that the welfare of media workers remains a top government priority. He said mechanisms have been introduced to link the release of government advertisements with the timely payment of employees’ salaries and dues. The minister also informed the committee that government advertisements to Suno News had been suspended following layoffs at the channel, adding that discussions with the management had resulted in the reinstatement of several employees.
The minister invited proposals for a life insurance scheme for media workers and indicated that the government could contribute to such a fund.
The committee also supported the introduction of a compensation package for the families of media workers who die while on duty. Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi proposed recommending a fixed compensation amount, while Senator Sarmad Ali stressed that media organisations have a responsibility to provide financial support to the families of employees who lose their lives in the line of duty.
Discussing government advertising, Tarar said the revised advertising policy gives priority to electronic media, followed by print and digital media. He said a third-party verification mechanism has been introduced to authenticate digital advertising, while only a limited share of government advertisements is allocated to social media platforms.
The committee also discussed discrepancies in data previously presented by the NCCIA with regards to social media accounts. Members noted that the figures had been disowned by NCCIA officials during an earlier subcommittee meeting. Expressing concern over the inconsistencies, the committee directed the agency to submit verified and accurate data to ensure transparency. It also instructed the NCCIA to ensure that no action is taken against newspapers or their websites, noting that such matters fall outside the agency’s legal mandate.
The committee underscored the importance of supporting print and regional media to counter misinformation and maintain a balanced national narrative. Particular attention was drawn to the challenges faced by regional newspapers in Balochistan, with the committee directing the ministry to formulate a comprehensive policy to promote and safeguard regional publications.
Tarar also informed the committee that Pakistan Television (PTV) had achieved financial self-sufficiency for the first time, enabling it to ensure timely salary payments. He added that PTV had hired 216 employees on a contractual basis to meet operational requirements while managing pension liabilities and had secured the exclusive broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The committee also discussed concerns over the recently released film Buleha. It decided to summon members of the Central Board of Film Censors and the film’s producer at its next meeting to explain the approval of the film and address concerns over the use of revered Sufi poet Bulleh Shah’s name in a violent context.
