Veterans of the trade debate whether or not the state broadcaster is battling decline — or resisting change
For many years, Pakistan Tv formed what prime-time drama seemed like on this nation. Its studios produced tales rooted in social anxieties, ethical dilemmas, and on a regular basis lives, from the socially acutely aware serials of the Seventies to the classics of the Nineteen Eighties and Nineties that also flow into on YouTube and in collective reminiscence. Right this moment, nevertheless, as non-public channels dominate scores and digital platforms measure success in billions of views, a well-known query has resurfaced: what went unsuitable with PTV, and might it discover its means again?
For a lot of trade veterans, the issue will not be an absence of assets however an absence of path. Actor Javed Sheikh, talking to The Categorical Tribune, rejected the concept that PTV has fallen behind as a result of it can not compete technically. “PTV has the whole lot,” he mentioned. “You will have tools, you could have sources. Rawalpindi, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, each centre has infrastructure. Like they used to make dramas earlier than, they will do it once more.”
In keeping with Sheikh, what’s lacking is management and intent. “A cultural minister ought to come, a brand new MD ought to come, a boss ought to come, somebody who modifications the entire situation,” he mentioned. “It’s quite simple.” He additionally pushed again in opposition to the argument that the trade has run out of sturdy writers. “The dramas being watched at this time on non-public channels and digital platforms are getting billions of views,” he identified. “So the place are the writers coming from?”
In his view, viewers acceptance is already being confirmed elsewhere. Pointing to latest tasks equivalent to Jama Taqseem, Paamal, Case No. 9, and work by director Nadeem Baig, Sheikh argued that compelling tales nonetheless resonate. “If society didn’t settle for these tales, they might flop,” he mentioned. “However they’re widespread. That’s the ranking.”
On the similar time, Sheikh acknowledged that inventive ambition can’t be separated from monetary actuality. “Right this moment’s dramas are made in 5 or ten crores,” he mentioned. “PTV has to lift its funds. Massive actors and writers received’t come in the event that they aren’t paid.” Even so, he maintained that the state broadcaster nonetheless holds a bonus few others do. “The assets PTV has, no non-public channel has them.”
Actor Behroze Sabzwari supplied a extra sombre evaluation, describing PTV as an establishment slowed down by its personal techniques. “PTV has been made to sit down at dwelling like an outdated man,” he mentioned. “It has been destroyed by paperwork.” Recalling his visits to PTV Karachi, Sabzwari painted a bleak image. “Once I enter the studios, I actually cry. The corridors are empty. The infrastructure is primary, however unused.”
He additionally identified that a lot of at this time’s non-public tv trade is staffed by folks skilled at PTV itself. “Even at this time, heads of departments in non-public channels are folks skilled at PTV,” he mentioned, a reminder that the issue will not be expertise, however how it’s getting used.
Others warning in opposition to viewing PTV solely by the lens of decline. Actor-director Yasir Hussain challenged the tendency to measure the channel in opposition to its previous. “If we solely bear in mind the dramas of the 70s, 80s and 90s, then we should always simply run them and name it Nostalgia TV,” he mentioned at a latest occasion.
Hussain argued that PTV nonetheless enjoys the widest attain within the nation by terrestrial broadcast, however fails to make use of that benefit meaningfully. “The drama slot with the most important viewers will not be being handled critically,” he mentioned. “TRP will be generated wherever.” He additionally questioned why high quality continues to lag regardless of the services accessible. “We shoot on location, in warmth, with out services,” he mentioned. “PTV has air-conditioned studios. They’ll make dramas twenty occasions higher.”
From throughout the organisation, PTV officers say the criticism overlooks the channel’s broader mandate. Responding to considerations, PTV Common Supervisor Amjad Shah mentioned the broadcaster’s position goes past industrial leisure. “PTV is a nationwide channel. Our tasks are completely different,” he mentioned.
Shah pointed to ongoing and upcoming tasks, together with Babu Ki Dulhanniyan, new performs by Asghar Nadeem Syed, Ramadan transmissions, non secular programming, and large-scale concert events that includes artists equivalent to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ali Zafar, and Atif Aslam. “We’re working in accordance with at this time’s tendencies, whereas staying related to our traditions,” he mentioned.
On the similar time, Shah acknowledged that industrial pressures have reshaped inventive decision-making.“Earlier, administrators had full freedom,” he mentioned. “Now, casting and glamour are dictated by gross sales. That’s the place creativity suffers.”
Actor and author Bushra Ansari highlighted one other loss on this transition: music. “PTV has a treasure of music,” she mentioned. “It hurts that it couldn’t be used correctly.” Actor Hiba Bukhari, in the meantime, supplied a extra pragmatic studying of the trade. “Producers put money into what sells,” she mentioned. “Solely 20% of audiences need one thing completely different.”
She pointed to tasks equivalent to Kabli Pulao on Inexperienced Leisure and Case No. 9 as proof that unconventional tales can nonetheless work, however solely when producers are prepared to take dangers. “The producer needs to be daring,” she mentioned.
As debates round budgets, paperwork, and inventive freedom proceed, PTV finds itself caught between legacy and reinvention. The infrastructure exists, the expertise has not disappeared, and the viewers remains to be there. What stays unsure is whether or not the establishment can transfer rapidly — and boldly — sufficient to fulfill a gift that not waits for nostalgia.
