Govt plans to sell prime properties of PTV

Aftab Ahmed

Islamabad: The PTI government is working on a proposal to dispose of the valuable properties of Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC) to clear Rs 20 billion pending liabilities.

Sources told Newztodays.com that the cabinet directed Managing Director (MD) PTVC to prepare a viable business plan to revamp the organization. The plan also includes disposing of the valuable properties of the Corporation. So that PTVC can clear the pending liabilities worth Rs 20 billion.

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During the recent meeting, cabinet members had raised questions over the need to apply the Pakistan essential services (Maintenance) Act 1952. MD PTVC informed the Cabinet that the reforms aimed to revamp the institution according to its directions. However, PTV Unions impede the reform process.

While responding to questions about the financial health of PTVC, he informed the organization had started running in profit. Still, there were pending liabilities of Rs 20 billion, out of which Rs 15 billion were against outstanding pensions.

The Cabinet allowed PTVC management to sell its expensive properties in major cities. However, it also suggested that the PTVC did not need an elaborate physical infrastructure. Therefore, these properties could be utilized to pay off the liabilities modernize the equipment.