ECC clears Rs13bn PTV bailout as new fiscal year opens

The Economic Coordination Committee has approved a Rs13 billion supplementary grant for Pakistan Television Corporation, giving the state broadcaster a fresh fiscal lifeline as the new financial year begins, according to Dawn Business.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the cabinet committee presided over by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. Officials were told that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had originally sought Rs20 billion to keep PTVC running, but the Finance Ministry pushed back against the larger request from the public exchequer. After consultations, the amount was trimmed to Rs13 billion and linked to quarterly disbursements.

The official statement says PTVC will receive Rs3.25 billion every quarter in financial year 2026-27 to cover operational and essential running costs. The committee also asked the Ministry of Information to return to the ECC within two months with a comprehensive plan showing how the broadcaster can move toward financial sustainability.

The approval underlines the continuing strain on PTVC’s finances. The feed summary notes that the broadcaster sought support despite not having a business plan in place to become self-sustaining, which was a key factor in the Finance Ministry’s resistance to the full funding request. The final decision reflects a compromise between keeping the broadcaster operational and limiting the burden on the state budget.

In the same meeting, the ECC also cleared a separate package tied to the Sialkot-Kharian Motorway project. According to Dawn Business, the committee approved Rs27.62 billion in sovereign guarantees for the 69-kilometre Sialkot-Sambrial-Kharian Motorway, also known as M-12, being developed under a build-operate-transfer model.

The committee additionally approved the rollover of Rs6.944 billion in already issued operational viability gap funding for the project. The guarantees are intended to support construction and financing arrangements for the motorway, which is part of broader transport infrastructure development in Punjab.

For PTVC, the latest grant offers short-term breathing space but also brings renewed scrutiny over the broadcaster’s long-term financial model. The ECC’s requirement for a sustainability plan suggests the government wants clearer answers on how the corporation can reduce dependence on repeated support.

The decision comes as policymakers continue to balance fiscal restraint with the need to keep key public sector institutions and infrastructure projects moving.

FAQ

Why did the ECC approve funds for PTVC?

The ECC approved the Rs13 billion supplementary grant to help PTVC meet operational and essential running expenses during financial year 2026-27.

Did PTVC get the full amount it requested?

No. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting reportedly asked for Rs20 billion, but the Finance Ministry reduced the request to Rs13 billion.

What did the ECC ask PTVC to submit later?

The committee directed the Ministry of Information to return within two months with a comprehensive financial sustainability plan for PTVC.

What else did the ECC approve in the same meeting?

It approved Rs27.62 billion in sovereign guarantees and the rollover of Rs6.944 billion in viability gap funding for the Sialkot-Kharian Motorway project.