ISLAMABAD: Meeting of Sub-Committee of Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting was held here at Parliament House on Friday with Senator Irfan ul Haq Siddiqui in the Chair.
The Senate Body deliberated on financial issues faced by Radio Pakistan. Tahir Hassan, Director General Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), apprised that deficit has been continuously increasing for last two years and the current deficit of Radio Pakistan stands at Rs2246.007 million.
He added that one of primary reason of increase in deficit is cessation of Grant in Aid worth around Rs12 crore to each station, provided by China Radio International. Senator Irfan Siddiqui suggested that Rs500 fee should be charged from all vehicles owners at the time of registration and payment of token fee.
However, he directed the PBC to ensure payment of pension and salary to all the employees and pensioners before the 20th of Ramadan. Moreover, Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi inquired about the outstanding dues, which are not being paid by private individuals or entities in last few years and what measures are taken by Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation regarding the recovery of dues.
Director General PBC stated that the outstanding dues currently stands at approximately Rs7.5 crore and PBC has written letter to all defaulters for the payment of dues but unfortunately no recovery has been made so far.
Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi also pointed out that PBC has properties located at prime locations in different cities all across the country but unfortunately PBC has leased these properties to private stakeholders at throw away prices and in order to combat this financial crisis PBC needs to revisit these leased properties.
While appointing the Additional Secretary Sohail Ali Khan as Coordinator for PBC, Senator Irfan Siddiqui directed the PBC to come up with a comprehensive plan which could help PBC in attaining financial independency. He also stated that Radio Pakistan is our asset and we will leave no stone unturned in making PBC financially independent.