ISLAMABAD – The federal government has approved an emergency subsidy of Rs11 billion for Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) to keep the state broadcaster afloat after last month’s decision to scrap the Rs35 monthly licence fee from electricity bills slashed its revenue stream.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet cleared the bailout on Tuesday after reviewing a proposal from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, according to a statement from the Finance Ministry.
Under the plan, Rs3.8 billion will be released immediately, while the remaining Rs7.2 billion will be distributed in three quarterly instalments of Rs2.4 billion each. The funds are meant to cover salaries, pensions, and operational costs as PTV adjusts to a new funding model.
The ECC stressed that this should be a temporary measure, urging the broadcaster to accelerate efforts to become financially independent rather than relying on taxpayers’ money.
Why the Bailout Was Needed
The now-abolished licence fee, charged through electricity bills, was a controversial but reliable source of revenue for PTV. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered its removal last month to ease pressure on consumers already grappling with high power tariffs.
However, that decision left the corporation in a financial crunch, with staff reportedly going unpaid for months and several operational expenses piling up. Officials say the fresh funding is essential to maintain uninterrupted transmission while PTV works on a long-term sustainability plan.
The subsidy has been earmarked for the 2025–26 fiscal year, with authorities signalling that the broadcaster will be expected to find alternative revenue streams, including advertising and digital services, to reduce reliance on government bailouts in the future.
