China to help Pakistan achieve TV digitisation

Chinese companies are set to help state broadcaster Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) achieve network digitisation by 2015, rapidtvnews.com reports.

Speaking to the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, Thaimoor Azmat, secretary to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said PTV had sought financial help from Chinese companies after the Planning and Development Division declined to approve the initial digitisation project, estimated at Rs 2.5 million.

PTV was advised that aid or grants would need to be applied for from the Chinese Government he added, although one company has offered some free equipment.

The formulation of a national digitisation policy for broadcasting in Pakistan was announced by former Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan in November 2011.