PTV to recover Rs 1.2 billion

It is the time of sacrifice. Forget your bonuses and medical allowances forget the past irregularities and join hands with the management. We will change the face of PTV in six months. Newly appointed Managing Director PTV Arshad Khan stated this in a meeting with the employees and journalists of PTV Lahore Centre here on Wednesday.

Arshad Khan said that PTV is passing through the most crucial phase as currently it is running into Rs 343 million loss. "Besides that the recovery of Rs 1.2 billion seems a Herculean task," he said.

"The government has issued licenses to 17 new channels, which would create an air of enormous competition. This would make the survival of PTV difficult in the coming future. Now the times are changing, PTV no more has the monopoly. We are left with two options. One is to turn a blind eye to things and say that all is good even though it is not and the seonc option it to take some hard decisions," he said.

He appreciated the role of union, which he said was really inclined to sort out PTV employees problems.

He warned that black sheep in PTV would no longer be tolerated. He said that he had taken up the job of MD as a challenge to bring a revolutionary change to PTV, which is losing its popularity. "I would prefer to improve productivity in PTV to downsizing as that is a better way to make progress. I am responsible for the livelihood of 6,000 employees. I would make such policies with the consultation of union and employees that would change the present situation," he added. While talking on the occasion, the General Manager PTV Lahore Centre Ashraf Azeem assured his full support to the employees and asked them not to worry as the new management was all set to take into account the demands of employees. He praised the MD PTV for his decision of according 15 per cent house regulation allowance to the employees.

President PTV Employee Union Agha Shahid also assured his support on the behalf of the employees. He also demanded bonuses for the employees.