The Pakistani government has decided to reduce its workforce at the Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) by abolishing nearly one in every four sanctioned positions. In a move aimed at reducing losses, 1,232 positions will be cut from the 5,442 total, marking a 23% reduction in staff. The Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises (CCoSOEs) was informed of the decision on Friday, with the aim to streamline operations and improve the financial health of the state-owned entity.
The move comes as part of a broader plan to revitalize PTV, which has struggled with profitability. For the fiscal year 2023-24, PTV News earned less than half of its projected profit, with expenses exceeding the budget by Rs103 million. Despite having a significant workforce, including 95 anchorpersons, PTV has faced financial challenges, partly due to its public service mandate, which limits its advertising revenue compared to private broadcasters.
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In addition to the staff cuts, the government approved a new business plan for PTV, focusing on digital expansion, content licensing, and strategic partnerships to increase revenue. The plan also includes better utilization of PTV’s assets and collaboration with the private sector to maximize efficiency. Similarly, the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) is set to implement a plan that includes income generation from improved content, better signal quality, and the use of unutilized properties for additional revenue streams.
Despite these challenges, Pakistan’s television industry remains robust, with over 90 million TV viewers and significant advertising expenditures. The committee has set a target for PBC to break even financially within two years, relying on these strategic measures to restore both PTV and PBC to profitability.