ISLAMABAD: The federal government has approved an Rs11 billion subsidy for Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) to offset financial losses following the removal of the Rs35 monthly TV fee from electricity bills.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet considered a summary from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting requesting the supplementary grant for tariff adjustments and net metering, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement.
Of the total amount, Rs3.8 billion will be released immediately, while the remaining funds will be disbursed quarterly to cover salaries, pensions, and operational costs of the state broadcaster. Each of the next three quarters will see Rs2.4 billion allocated to PTV.
The ECC noted that PTV must work towards reducing dependence on government support and pursue financial self-sustainability.
The Rs35 per-connection fee was abolished last month to reduce electricity costs for consumers, but its removal affected PTV’s revenue. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier instructed the discontinuation of the TV licence fee, which, according to the Ministry of Information, had strained PTV’s finances, resulting in unpaid salaries and pensions for three months and other pending expenses.
The grant for fiscal year 2025-26 is intended to ensure uninterrupted broadcasting while the corporation transitions towards a sustainable revenue model.
