Report: ANI Correspondent:
ISLAMABAD — The Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, chaired by Senator Sarmad Ali, considered key legislative and policy matters, including amendments relating to the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation and access to information.
The Committee considered the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, moved by Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir, which seeks parliamentary representation on the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Board. Despite opposition from the Ministry of Information on grounds of the restrictions under the SOEs Act, 2023, the Committee passed the bill, with Senator Pervaiz Rashid voting against it.
Chairman Sarmad Ali observed that the relevant legal framework may require reconsideration and recommended an amendment to the SOEs Act, 2023.
The Committee also considered the Right of Access to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2021, and recommended that it not be passed.
Discussing the media sector, Senator Sarmad Ali stressed the need for financial support through state advertising to strengthen mainstream media and combat fake news. He also questioned the continued relevance of the National Press Trust following privatization of its newspapers and sought details of its properties and funds.
The Committee directed that advertisements to media organizations not registered with EOBI should be stopped and decided to seek a detailed briefing from EOBI. It was also informed that health insurance for journalists and media workers has been revived, while life insurance is under consideration.
The Committee decided to visit Karachi to inspect buildings of the National Press Trust, PTV and Radio Pakistan. It also directed that the exhibition of the film Buleha remain on hold until its name is changed and the disputed dialogue drawing an analogy between Baba Bulleh Shah and the film's lead character is removed.
