RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is determined to streamline the state-run Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) by giving equal coverage to all political parties instead of making it the mouthpiece of the government.

A PTI spokesman told Business Recorder that PTV has always been used as a mouthpiece of the government, but this time around, the state-run broadcast institution will give coverage to all the parties on merit.

“It will not become a mouthpiece of the government, like in the past when opposition parties were not accommodated,” he added.

He further stated that Khan had made it clear time and again that his party will not allow any state institution to be controlled by the government to protect its own interests; and would not follow the example of PML-N which ran PTV like a “propaganda machine”.

He said the practice of private channels buying frequency from PTV and radio Pakistan to cover parliamentary proceedings will continue. “We’ll not embargo freedom of press as the media, particularly the private media, has played a pivotal role in creating awareness among the masses,” he maintained.

He said that the next information minister’s name will be finalized next week, as Imran Khan wants to award the portfolio on merit instead of distributing the ministries based on favoritism and nepotism.

A senior PTI leader who wished not to be named said that Fawad Chaudhry, who is also central information secretary information of the party, may be given the portfolio of minister for information and broadcasting.

However, he said that the final decision will be taken by PTI chairman Imran Khan in consultation with senior leadership of the party.