Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday inaugurated Pakistan TV (PTV) Digital as an English news channel aimed at countering anti-Pakistan propaganda and forwarding the country’s perspective on national and international developments.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said Sharif had visited the headquarters of PTV Digital, unveiling a plaque to launch the news channel, which strives to communicate the country’s perspective to the global community. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Secretary Information Ambreen Jan, and other senior officials accompanied the prime minister.
During his visit, the premier visited various sections of the news channel, interacting with young professionals, and praising their enthusiasm. He emphasized the crucial role of the channel’s employees in countering external narratives, noting the digital platform’s primary objective was providing authentic news while effectively countering misinformation and propaganda about Pakistan.
P.M. Sharif also recorded his first interview for PTV’s broadcasts. “If you are in right direction committing yourself with all your passion and energy to serve the cause of your country, that is a huge inspiration,” he was quoted as saying in excerpts broadcast by PTV.
To a question on how he wished Pakistan to be perceived in a decade, he said he desired to see the country standing tall with remarkable achievements in economic prosperity, peace, and happiness.
Pakistani perspective
Briefing the prime minister on the objectives of PTV Digital, the information minister said it would serve as an active and authentic voice of Pakistan for global audiences, bridging information gaps and promoting public diplomacy through an English-language platform.
He explained the platform’s strategic goal was to enable Pakistan to communicate with the world and deliver its perspective first. It would cover critical issues related to Pakistan—international affairs, cultural insights, economic progress, and analyses—presented from a Pakistani perspective, he added.
Tarar said that by leveraging an efficient production workflow, the channel would integrate in-house reporting with a global network of freelancers and partnerships with renowned wire services like Reuters and Associated Press, ensuring real-time, verified, and high-quality coverage.
The channel, emphasized the minister, would strive to counter one-sided narratives prevalent in Western- and Indian-influenced regional media. PTV Digital, he stressed, would serve as hub for major news from a Pakistani perspective.