Silence on Spending and Hiring Overshadows Information Ministry’s Claims of Media Protection
Serious questions over accountability and transparency surrounded the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting during the National Assembly’s question hour, as lawmakers highlighted unexplained appointments, undisclosed advertising expenditures, and opaque media funding.
Multiple starred questions directed at the ministry were officially marked as “not received,” drawing sharp concern from members about parliamentary oversight and governance in the media sector.
During the sitting, legislators sought detailed explanations regarding alleged irregular appointments at the Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation. Questions were raised on whether hiring since 2023 had been publicly advertised, approved by the Finance Division, and carried out in line with constitutional quotas. Members also sought clarification on audit objections pointing to over-aged appointments and backdated payments, and whether these practices had imposed a financial burden on the national exchequer. However, in the absence of written replies, no official clarification was provided on the record.
The ministry also faced pressure over government spending on advertisements. Lawmakers asked for a detailed breakup of advertising expenditures across television channels, print, electronic, and social media platforms, including the rationale for such campaigns and the names of beneficiaries. Another question sought a comprehensive account of media funding provided to individual outlets, platforms, and influencers, along with audit findings and safeguards to ensure fairness and accountability. These questions were also recorded as unanswered, intensifying criticism that billions spent on government publicity and media engagement remain beyond parliamentary scrutiny.
Amid the silence on appointments and spending, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar did respond to a separate question on journalist safety raised by Dr. Sharmila Faruqui. The minister outlined measures taken to address threats, intimidation, and censorship concerns highlighted by the International Federation of Journalists. He informed the House that an independent Commission for Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals has been constituted to investigate complaints related to threats, arrests, and torture.
The minister stated that existing media laws do not provide for pre-censorship and emphasized that editorial oversight rests with licensees under the Code of Conduct. He further cited the formation of a Ministerial Media Security Committee, security audits of media houses, installation of panic alert buttons in press clubs and newsrooms, training programs on digital safety and fake news, a health insurance scheme with a Rs. 1 billion allocation, and Rs. 20 million set aside for press clubs and deserving journalists.
Opposition members, however, pointed to the contrast between the detailed response on journalist protection and the absence of answers on key financial and administrative matters. Questions related to audits of media disbursements, criteria for fund allocation, appointments in ministry-linked bodies, and the performance of the Information Literacy Programme also remained unanswered, prompting warnings that failure to respond on record undermines transparency and weakens legislative oversight.
