ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting has passed a bill seeking parliamentary representation on the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Board despite the government’s objection that it conflicts with the SOEs Act, 2023. The committee met under the chairmanship of Senator Sarmad Ali to consider key legislative and Policy matters. The meeting was attended by Senators Abdul Shakoor Khan, Syed Waqar Mehdi, Pervaiz Rashid, Jan Muhammad, and Muhammad Abdul Qadir (Mover). The committee took up for consideration the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir in the Senate sitting held on 1 December 2025. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the composition of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Board by providing representation to Parliamentarians, including one member from the Senate to be nominated by the Chairman of the Senate and one member from the National Assembly to be nominated by the Speaker of the National Assembly. The Committee was informed that the objective of the bill is to broaden oversight of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation and ensure public representation through the inclusion of a member of Parliament. During deliberations, the Committee was informed by the ministry that the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Board is governed by the SOEs Act and the Ministry of Finance is its custodian. The Ministry opposed the bill because under Section 11 of the SOEs Act, 2023, a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora or a Provincial Assembly, as well as a holder of political office, whether or not in a legislative role, cannot be appointed or continue to hold office as an independent director. After detailed discussion, the Committee voted on the bill and, apart from Senator Pervaiz Rashid, all other members present voted in favour of The Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and, accordingly, it was passed by the Committee. However, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sarmad Ali, observed that the relevant legal framework may require reconsideration and recommended that an amendment should be made to the SOEs Act, 2023, to address the issue. The Committee then considered the Right of Access to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2021, introduced by Senators Sajjad Hussain Turri, Walid Iqbal, Muhammad Ali Khan Saif, Manzoor Ahmed, and Mirza Muhammad Afridi in the Senate sitting held on 25 January 2021. The Committee voted on the bill, and it was recommended that the bill should not be passed. The Committee also took up the compliance report on recommendations made in its earlier meetings held on 15 July 2026 at Old PIPS Hall, Parliament Lodges, and on 23 July 2026 at PTV Headquarters, Islamabad. During the discussion on the state of the media sector, Chairman Committee Senator Sarmad Ali stressed the need for immediate support to strengthen the industry in the larger public interest. He said, “Financial support in the form of advertising should be provided to the mainstream media industry to combat fake news. ” On the issue of the National Press Trust, the Chairman raised serious concerns over its relevance and functioning. He said, “The purpose of the National Press Trust has ceased to exist after the privatisation of its newspapers. ” Questioning the continuation of the Trust in its present form, he remarked that the purpose of the Trust needs to be revisited. He directed that details regarding the National Press Trust’s property and funds should be presented in the next meeting. The committee further decided to seek views of the Ministry of Law on amending the trust deed in line with changed ground realities and for the welfare of the media workers. The Chairman also called for stricter accountability in the allocation of state advertising and said, “Advertisements for media organizations not registered with the EOBI should be stopped. ” The committee decided to seek an in-depth briefing from EOBI on the matter in its upcoming meeting. On the welfare of media workers, the Committee was informed that health insurance for journalists and media workers has been revived, while provision of life insurance is also being considered. The Committee decided to undertake a visit to Karachi to inspect buildings of the National Press Trust, PTV and Radio Pakistan to review plans for their effective utilization. The panel directed, in line with its earlier recommendation, that the exhibition of film Buleha be put on hold till its name is changed and the questionable dialogue which draws an analogy between Baba Buleha Shah and the lead character in the film is expunged. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Bill seeking parliamentary representation on PBC board passed by Senate panel
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