Senate panel calls for accountability in allocation of state advertising

The Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting in Islamabad called for tighter accountability in the allocation of state advertising on Friday. Chairman Senator Sarmad Ali proposed stopping government advertisements for media organizations not registered with the Electronic and Online Broadcasting Institute (EOBI). The committee planned to request a detailed briefing from EOBI on the topic during their next meeting.

During a discussion on the state of the media sector, Senator Sarmad Ali emphasized the importance of immediate support to strengthen the industry for the public's benefit. He suggested providing financial aid in the form of advertising to mainstream media to combat fake news. The committee members also noted that the National Press Trust (NPT), which ceased to exist after the privatization of its newspapers, should reconsider its purpose.

The committee directed that details about the NPT's property and funds be presented at the next meeting. They decided to seek the law ministry's opinion on amending the NPT deed to better suit current circumstances and the welfare of media workers. The committee also planned to inspect the buildings of the NPT, PTV, and Radio Pakistan to review plans for their effective use.

Regarding the welfare of media workers, the committee learned that health insurance for journalists and media workers has been reinstated, and life insurance is being considered. They examined the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir during the Senate session on December 1, 2025.

The bill aimed to amend the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation's board composition by including representation from parliamentarians, such as one member from the Senate nominated by the Chairman and one from the National Assembly nominated by the Speaker.

Following an in-depth discussion, the committee voted on the bill, and apart from Senator Pervaiz Rashid, all other present members supported it. Consequently, the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed by the committee. This report was published in Dawn on September 19, 2026.