Minister for Information, Broadcasting, Culture, and National Heritage, Attaullah Tarar, has launched an extensive “Operation Clean Up” initiative on Pakistan Television (PTV), shutting down 25 low-rating shows.
According to a report published by a local daily on Sunday, Minister Tarar is determined to eradicate the “sifarishi culture” (nepotism), incompetence, and the spread of fake news within the state-run broadcaster.
As part of the overhaul, the minister has announced plans to recruit professional anchors and producers, emphasizing that those found to be fake or incompetent will be dismissed. To achieve this transformation, Tarar has engaged multiple experts to revamp PTV’s programming, to make it comparable to private channels in terms of quality and appeal.
Addressing concerns about the ratings of PTV’s talk shows, Tarar has revised the policy to encourage openness and allow for constructive criticism of the government. This shift is intended to foster a more dynamic and engaging platform for public discourse.
The report also indicates that Tarar is prepared to take action against individuals behind a malicious social media campaign opposing the changes at PTV. By focusing on marketing and sales, the minister aims to make PTV’s shows not only profitable but also vibrant and relevant to contemporary audiences.
