Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2024
By Muhammad MubashirPublished On 28 Jan 2026
Simple News Explanation
Pakistan’s National Assembly has passed an amendment to the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) Act 1973, which controls Radio Pakistan and related media institutions.
This new law is mainly introduced to improve governance, transparency, and performance of state-owned media organizations.
Key Changes in the New Law
1. PBC Now Treated as State-Owned Enterprise
- PBC will now follow rules of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Act 2023
- This means better management, accountability, and performance monitoring
2. Stronger Board System
- A Board of Directors will now have more power
- Independent members increased from 4 to 9
- Representation expanded to:
- Provinces
- Islamabad
- Gilgit-Baltistan
- Azad Kashmir
This ensures more balanced representation
3. Board Gets More Control
The Board will now:
- Approve budgets
- Make policies
- Plan development projects
- Control overall direction of PBC
4. Director General Appointment Change
- DG (head of PBC) will be selected based on Board recommendation
- This reduces direct political control and improves professionalism
5. Financial Transparency
- Accounts will be audited under constitutional rules (Articles 169 & 170)
- Stronger financial monitoring introduced
Why This Law Was Introduced
According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons:
- To meet IMF requirements
- To improve performance of state-owned companies
- To reduce inefficiency and mismanagement
- To align PBC with modern governance standards
Why This Matters
This reform can:
- Improve quality of state media (Radio Pakistan)
- Reduce political interference
- Increase transparency
- Strengthen Pakistan’s media institutions
Short Summary
- Govt media law updated (PBC Act)
- More power given to independent board
- DG will be selected professionally
- IMF conditions behind reform
- Aim: better media management
