PTV To Launch 100 Channel DTH Service

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Dec 21 (PNS) - Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Saturday that the Pakistan Television Corporation will soon launch a 100 channel Direct To Home (DTH) service for its subscribers.

The service will be part of measures envisaged by the government to make PTV more competitive with cutting edge technology and latest news and entertainment services, the Information minister said while addressing a large eid-milan gathering at the PTV.

He said the government will provide every possible assistance to the Pakistan Television to make it more competitive. "But, its workers will have to work very hard if they want to survive the tough competition ahead," he said.

Sheikh Rashid said, the launching of the DTH service will boost corporations income and provide more information and entertainment to its large subscriber base. He said a new entertainment channel will also be launched early next year besides the Azad Jammu Kashmir television which will be inaugurated by the President General Pervez Musharraf on Feb 5.

The electronic media, Rashid said, has a critical role to play in the days ahead. "Probably after the ministry of defence it is the second most important area which will play a key role in future," he said.

Sheikh Rashid said he had pledged to give a new life to the PTV from the new year and said the workers have all the abilities to meet any challenge thrown to them. He said the DTH service is the brainchild of the Chairman PTV Syed Anwar Mehmood. He said an affiliate department of the corporation will look after the DTH service details of which would be announced soon.

He said 13 new channels are about to be launched which will pose a tough competition to PTV. "If you are not ready to meet them head-on then you are in big problem," Sheikh Rashid warned. The corporation, he said has to be financially strong to meet the future requirements.

Sheikh Rashid told the workers that the PTV will announce bonus according to its capability. He said those working on adhoc basis will be offered vacancies, but they will have to come on merit, through test and interview. Acknowledging that the workers were the backbone of any organisation, he urged them to work selflessly for the betterment of their organisation. He said being a professional organisation merit and talent will take precedence over all other matters.

Chairman PTV and Secretary Information Syed Anwar Mehmood said it was the endeavour of the Board of Directors of the PTV to work for the overall improvement of the corporation and the welfare of its workers. MD PTV Akhtar Waqar Azim was appreciative of the role of the PTV employees to meet all challenges. He said the PTV National was launched at three months notice. He said the issue of 15 percent house rent was being discussed by the Board.

Earlier, the representatives of the PTV employees union appreciated the hard work put in by the Chairman and MD of the PTV to make the organisation a success. They assured full cooperation and vowed to make it a profitable organisation.

The End.