The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting condemned derogatory remarks made by a PTV anchor and recommended strict disciplinary measures, including blacklisting the presenter from state media and drafting a formal code of conduct for anchors and program hosts. The committee’s position was driven by strong remarks from member Kiran Imran Dar, who linked the incident to broader concerns about institutional accountability and public trust in state broadcasters.
The committee met at the Pak-China Friendship Centre under the chairmanship of Polin Baloch to review the incident in which a PTV anchor reportedly made insulting comments about a particular nationality. Members unanimously denounced the remarks as unacceptable for a public broadcaster and agreed that decisive action was required to preserve national cohesion and the credibility of state media.
Kiran Imran Dar emerged as the meeting’s most vocal participant, arguing that the episode was more than an individual lapse and raised questions about the fundamental role of public institutions. She stressed that PTV, funded by taxpayers, must not be used to spread hate or division, and called for a zero-tolerance approach: anyone who engages in such conduct should not only be dismissed but also permanently blacklisted from state media platforms.
The committee endorsed Dar’s call for a formal code of ethics for anchors and program hosts, with members noting that media personalities help shape the national narrative and therefore must be subject to clear and enforceable standards. The proposal to draft and strictly implement a code of conduct received broad support and was approved as a recommendation.
The Secretary of Information informed the committee that the anchor’s contract had been suspended and subsequently terminated. Members, led by Dar, judged this response insufficient on its own and pushed for a stronger deterrent. The committee agreed to recommend that the presenter be blacklisted from state media to prevent future recurrence.
Other members reinforced the committee’s stance: Nadeem Abbas warned against compromising the reputation of national institutions; Asia Naz Tanoli said insulting public sentiment was intolerable; Sehr Kamran called for immediate action; and Amin ul Haq emphasized that national media should promote unity and goodwill.
During a briefing on the DCD, Dar also highlighted the importance of modern technology to counter digital threats but insisted that institutional transparency and accountability are paramount. She argued that clear policies and open procedures would reduce the long-term impact of propaganda and falsehoods, and that sustaining public confidence depends on making institutions answerable.
By the end of the session, the committee had formalized recommendations for blacklisting the anchor from state media and preparing a code of conduct for broadcasters. Members credited Kiran Imran Dar’s firm stance and practical proposals with shaping the committee’s response and setting the direction for follow-up action.
