The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting has directed authorities to develop a comprehensive code of conduct for state-run media anchors, following a recent controversy involving derogatory remarks made on Pakistan Television (PTV).
Chaired by MNA Pullain Baloch, the committee on Thursday expressed strong disapproval of the comments made by a PTV anchor against a particular ethnicity, which it said caused distress to a large number of citizens. The panel called the action taken by PTV management inadequate and recommended stern measures, including recovery of damages and blacklisting of the anchor from state-owned media.
The committee emphasized that individuals paid from the national exchequer must be held accountable to a strict code of conduct to preserve national unity.
Secretary Information and Broadcasting Ambreen Jan informed the committee that the anchor’s contract had been suspended and later terminated soon after his remarks surfaced online. She stressed that no individual should undermine inter-provincial harmony or national cohesion.
During the session, members were also briefed on the performance of the Department of Digital Communications (DCD), which was established to counter disinformation, safeguard national security, and promote religious harmony. Officials said DCD had played a key role in shaping Pakistan’s official narrative after the Pahalgham conflict with India and in countering extremist propaganda.
The committee appreciated DCD’s work but directed the ministry to expedite the appointment of a member of the Pakistan Information Commission from civil society within the next two months.
In addition, lawmakers discussed alleged embezzlement in the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and instructed the implementation of stricter financial control mechanisms to prevent future irregularities.
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The meeting was attended by MNAs Nadeem Abbas, Kiran Imran Dar, Asia Naz Tanoli, Kiran Haider, Salahuddin Junejo, Sehar Kamran, Syed Amin Ul Haque, Rana Ansar, Shaheen, and Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry, Parliamentary Secretary for Information, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Information, APP, and other relevant departments.
