China to fund digitization of PTV signal

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Friday announced that the PTV’s signal would soon be digitized [from analog] and expertise and funds would be provided by China.

He called for launch of the public private partnership for improving the programming section of the PTV. The minister made these remarks while speaking during his visits to Pakistan Television Academy today.

He said that the interests of the PTV employees would be guarded and efforts would be made to help the PTV stand on its feet.

Chaudhry said that state media could play an important role in promoting the positive image of the country. The government would equip the state media with modern technology and PTV channels would be converted to high definition technology in phases.

The minister said that PTV and Radio academies would be merged and converted into a state-of-the-art media university. The minister said that PTV was the prime state media institution and its progress would prove harbinger of change in the entire official media.

He said time was changing rapidly and use of technology was increasing with every passing day and Pakistan would have to keep pace with the world.

Friday said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a gigantic economic project and the present government would ensure its success and also take steps to further expand it.

He promised to revive the old glory of the PTV and said in the past PTV was damaged by political interference, but the present government would restore its image.

The information minister also visited the studios of China Radio International’s Dosti Channel established at the premises of the academy. In a live interview he said that Pakistan and China enjoyed time tested friendship and Pakistan was proud of its relations with Beijing.