THE crisis at the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) is getting worse, with employees wondering what the future holds for them. Basic facilities have been systematically withdrawn, leaving only monthly salaries and pensions intact; barely though. The approved budgetary increase for the 2024-25 fiscal has yet to be disbursed to the employees, while arrears of the 2023-24 budget remain partially unpaid.

The PBC is the only national medium that broadcasts programmes in nearly all regional languages of Pakistan, airing approximately 1,500 hours daily through its 32broadcastinghouses across the country. With a combined strength of around 7,500 individuals 3,000 serving employees and 4,500 pensioners, widows and their dependents PBC plays an indispensable role in national integration and public service broadcasting.

Given its vital mandate and limited capacity for revenue generation, it is the government`s responsibility to bridge the gap between PBC`s income and expenditure. Unfortunately, this has not been the case for a long time. The PBC is in an urgent need of a bailout package worth Rs6 billion to ensure sustainability and continued service to the nation.

Ansarul Haque Chief Organiser, United Staff Organisation Union Karachi