In the memorandum of Association the objective of establishing the company to be called Pakistan Television Corporation clearly defined as:
To establish a network of Television Station in Pakistan by creating, constructing, maintaining and improving Television stations at places as approved by the Govt of Pakistan or by using facilities of any organization or institution under such arrangements or terms which may seem desirable to the company and providing TV broadcasting services by telecasting live programs of all kinds , News pictorials and Documentaries, local and foreign films of all kinds and nature for the purposes of disseminating information, education and entertainment”
Furthermore it may be noted that under the company’s Ordinance vide clause 89 , of chapter IX , under the caption “ Functions and powers of Directors, it is maintained that “The business of the company shall be managed by the Directors who may in addition to the powers and authorities by these presents otherwise, expressly conferred upon them, exercise all such powers and do all such things as may be exercised or done by the company and are not hereby or by any enactment expressly directly or required to be exercised or done by the Company in General meeting ….”
Hence it is the Board of the Directors of the PTV which is empowered to make and implement its policies.
However, these clauses of Memorandum and Article of Association ignored more than followed in deciding the broadcast policy of PTV. In 40 years of PTVs’ existence from 1967 to 2008, the guide lines and directives always came from the Govt of the day headed by a President or Prime Minister.
All of these persons with exception of one governed the country, for two terms, some complete, some incomplete, and some extend period of time.
- Gen Ayub Khan
It was Ayub Khan, who introduced television in the country. But unfortunately he could not eat the fruits of the seeds he sow for the reasons, that firstly, Television was at nascent stage suffering from technical facilities and financial resources, secondly after couple of years start, Ayub Khan fallen seriously sick, and after recovery from illness could not recouped his vigor and charm
2. Gen Yayha Khan
Yayha who succeeded Gen Ayub was considered a userper and also knew himself that he was a userper. His interest in TV affairs was lukewarm. He watched very little of TV programmes. Perhaps he has better things to do in the evening. No special instructions or directive issued on the subject of broadcast policy during his tenure; it seemed that there was no media policy in existence. PTV enjoyed unproved freedom during his tenure.
3. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto
Third in line of chief executives of the country was Z.A Bhutto. He came in power with great fan fairs, with the popular slogan of “Roti, Kapra aur Makan”. He came with public support, and remained darling of the People of Pakistan in the first half of his tenure but suffered from image distortion in the last half. It culminated in the elections of 1977 which caused his downfall.
4. Gen Zia ul Haq
Then comes Gen. Zia ul Haq. He came with a mission to accomplish. He tried to implement his version of Islamization with the help of the psyehofants around through state TV. The TV broadcasting policy took a complete U-turn during his regime.
Fortunately for him, there occurred a big problem in Afghanistan, which resulted in flow of money from USA and support from Western countries for his govt. Consequently having removed Bhutto from the scene he continued to rule for eleven long years.
5. Banazir Bhutto
She occupied ruling chair for a short period of 2 years Elected on sympathy vote, mainly for two reasons. Firstly, being the daughter of Bhutto Shaheed, and secondly the hardship she suffered for 14 years in exile or in prison.
Young lady, passed her first tenure learning traits of the state crafts and try to know who is who in Pakistan. In her second tuner she becomes a victim of conspiracies.
6. Nawaz Sharif
Next was Nawaz Sharif. After becoming the Prime Minister of Pakistan he could not come out of his “Provincial Shell” where he enjoyed absolute powers as Chief Minister of the largest province of the country.
As for his second tenure, he ruined himself, ill advised by the clergy and reminiscent of Zia ul Haq to declared himself an “Amir ul Momineen”
7. Gen Perviz Mushraf
Last but not least among the seven, was Gen. Pervize Mushraf – a ruler with a difference! In the early part, he attracted the support of the common people. He assumed the title of Chief Executive of the country – and ran it like a private limited company.
After the return of so called democracy, he lost whatever was achieved, and destroyed the fabric of state along with his banker Prime Minister Shaukut Aziz.
All this period mostly the pattern of PTV policy remained more or less the same, except in one case.