Govt Readies Plan to Remove PTV Fee From Electricity Bills

The federal government is moving forward with a plan to eliminate the unnecessary Rs. 35 monthly fee collected on behalf of the Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV). A formal proposal has been prepared to abolish the PTV surcharge, which is currently applied to all electricity consumers—domestic, commercial, and industrial. The proposal is expected to be presented to the prime minister in a high-level meeting scheduled for next week. PTV collects approximately Rs. 1.5 billion every month through this electricity bill fee from around 42.6 million consumers. The government’s plan seeks to relieve consumers from this. PTV operates under the federal government with nine television channels and over 6,000 employees. Its funding has long relied on public money, including the electricity surcharge. The proposed removal of the fee signals a shift in how the broadcaster may be financed in the future. Authorities said the government is ready to remove outdated or unjustified charges currently being passed on to consumers in the electricity bills.