THE GROWTH AND EXPANSION OF RADIO, TELEVISION AND FILM

IN PAKISTAN
Radio History
 It was on 14th August 1947, the day when Pakistan came into being.
Commonly known as Radio Pakistan, The Pakistan Broadcasting
Corporation came into being as Pakistan Broadcasting Service on 14 August
1947 when Pakistan emerged on the world map as a new country. It was
descended from the Indian Broadcasting Company, (All India Radio). At the
time of independence, Pakistan possessed three radio stations at Dhaka
(1939), Lahore (1937) and Peshawar (1936.)
 With the passage of time, the Radio Pakistan began to develop. New stations
were opened at Karachi and Rawalpindi in 1948, a new broadcasting house
at Karachi (1950), new stations at Hyderabad (1951), Quetta (1956), another
station at Rawalpindi (1960) and a receiving center in Peshawar in the same
year. Khiarpur and Bahawalpur centers were opened in 1974 and 1975
respectively.
 Attention was paid to the training as well and training facilities began to be
provided in Islamabad and Multan in 1970. Radio Pakistan’s world service
was started on 1 April 1973.
 In 1977, the radio service reached to the remotest parts of the country like
Gilgit and Skardu. In the period of 1981-82, Radio began transmission in
Turbat, Dera Ismael Khan, Khuzdar, and Faisalabad. Afterwards, new
stations at Sibi, Abbotabad, Chitral, Loralai and Zhob.
THE INTRODUCTION OF FM CHANNELS
 FM transmissions were first started by Radio Pakistan in October 1998.
Over the period of 2002-2005, new stations were opened at Islamabad,
Gwader, mianwali, Sargodha, Kohat, Bannu and Mithi and others in the later
years. Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Quetta and Karachi are the main
stations.
 In 2008 National Broadcasting Service (NBS) was launched concerning with
the current affairs. In 2009, a Community FM channel, known as FM 93 was
launched with 22 stations across Pakistan.
  First English Channel was launched in Islamabad, called Planet 94,
operating on FM 94. Two more English language based channels are to be
launched in Lahore and Karachi.
 On November 14th PBC launched its first English Music Channel in
Islamabad called Planet 94. The network operates on FM 94.
PROGRAMS
The Radio presents programs mainly on information, music, sports and
entertainment. A number of channels deal with providing news and other stuff. A
wide range of radio stations are popular in Pakistan. Opposed to focusing merely
on local and international news, the radio channels focus more on entertainment
programs. The Pakistan Radio presents programs in 16 different
languages .Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC, Radio Pakistan) operates 67
broadcasting units, out of which 33 are mediumwave, seven are shortwave and 27
are FM stations.
ILLEGAL CHANNELS
Most commonly in KPK and FATA region, there are found illegal radio channels
which provide erroneous information to the respective listeners. According to a
report of PEMRA in 2009, there were more than 100 illegal stations run by
religious extremists, in FATA alone. So the public there is unaware of the
developments outside their own areas or events outside Pakistan. These illegal
channels are a challenge to the state as they affect the educational and
developmental efforts negatively. They campaign against the polio elimination
programs, block other health related and educational services of the government.
To overcome such a problem, the government has allowed the FM channels to
transmit their programs there, but they are state governed. The private FM
channels are not getting licenses, currently. Radio Pakistan’s programs are also
under strict observation.
ROLE OF PEMRA
PEMRA is an independent corporate body which has been established with effect
from 1st March, 2002 in order to:
1. Improve the standard of information, education and entertainment.
2. Enlarge the choice available to the people of Pakistan in the media for news,
current affairs, religious knowledge, art, culture, science, technology, economic
development, social sector concerns, music, sports, drama and other subjects of
public and national interest.
3. Facilitate the devolution of responsibility and power to the grass roots improving
the access of the people to mass media at the local and community level.
4. Ensure accountability, transparency and good governance of optimizing the free
flow of information.
Today, there are over a hundred public and private radio stations due to more
liberal media regulations. FM broadcast licenses are awarded to parties that
commit to open FM broadcasting stations in at least one rural city along with the
major city of their choice.
TELEVISION
This miraculous device was invented by Philo Frarsworth in September 1927. In
Pakistan, Television was first time introduced in an exhibition near Mazar-e-Quaid
on 16 September 1955. It was a short circuit television for audiences meant for
entertainment purpose. This event was arranged by American Embassy to let the
Pakistani public see the miraculous invention.
• After radio, television is the most common means of communication in Pakistan.
But in Urban areas of Pakistan, television is more in use than radio. The following
chart shows the results of a research held to see the usage of the two mediums in
the major cities of Pakistan. The television is seen by a percentage of 79, whereas
radio is listened by 37% of the public, in urban areas of Pakistan.
BEGINNING AND EARLY HISTORY
 The idea of establishing the television industry in Pakistan was conceived by
the National Education Commission with the support of President Ayub
Khan. In 1961 Syed Wajid Ali established a private television broadcasting
company with the cooperation of Nipon Electric Company (NEC) of Japan,
and Thomas Television International of The Great Britain
 Since 1963, the headquarters of this television industry are located in
Islamabad. Before that the headquarters were in Lahore i.e. from 1961-1962.
  On 26 November 1964, first news were broadcasted which beamed black
and white transmission by the PTV. The television division in the Punjab
Province was established with the help of United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)). Private industries commercials were
permitted with no fee, initially all the commercials of industrial
conglomerates were tax-free and there were no additional charges at that
time.
 The PTV remained a private institution until its shares were sold to the
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. After the first transmission in
1964 from Lahore, there were further transmissions from Dhaka, Rawalpindi
and Islamabad in 1965 and in 1966 in Karachi.
 PTV was brought under the complete control of the state in 1971, under the
Nationalization Program, and the service was expanded all over the country.
Centers were opened in Peshawar and Quetta in 1974. In 1976 it began color
transmission. In 1987 Pakistan Television Academy was founded in 1987 to
train the students who wished to be in this field
 During the decades of 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s PTV teleplays were the best
considered programs of the subcontinent and were known all around the
world.
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT
There were private productions but they were run by PTV. PTV’s monopoly ended
when there was a bloom of private channels in the country, after PEMRA (Pakistan
Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) which was formerly known as (RAMBO
regulatory Authority for Media and Broadcast Organizations) gave licenses to
private channels. By the end of 2009, 77 national and regional satellites and cable
television channels had been licensed.
Further the loosening of state licensing controls greatly expanded the reach of TV
in Pakistan. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)
effectively bisected the television market between terrestrial TV broadcasting and
new privately-run satellite and cable channels. The PTV remains the only free
terrestrial TV network in the country, with channels offering news, entertainment,
regional language programming, programming for Pakistanis abroad and the AJK-
TV channel that broadcasts in the Kashmiri language for the people of Pakistan
administered Kashmir
The private channels have made people more aware of their political and
constitutional rights and made them more informed about news and events outside
Pakistan. The liberalization of the electronic media sector was originally a strategy
to counter Indian media influence, but the empowered group of new television
outlets were willing to expose and challenge the authoritarian behavior of the
Pakistani government. By 2007, these new outlets had become important conduits
for political news and information
PTV AND PRIVATE CHANNELS
 PTV is the state owned television network which operates on both terrestrial
and satellite. Nationwide it has 5 channels viz National, Home, News, Sports
and Global. Under Regional ones it has Bolan and AJK TV.
 PTV’s general programming mostly deals with morality, civic or national
responsibilities, drive against narcotics, environmental pollution and
agricultural reforms.
 The channels under PTV are family oriented they show eastern family
programs to cater the needs of local audience. It also acts on social
development theory of media, that’s why it shows informative programs
about health and social issues. It also censors commercials and holds a
conservative standard as compared to other channels. In addition it supports
government policies on national and international matters.
Private channels:
On 15th July 1990 Pakistan’s First Private Channel, Peoples Television Network
Started Its Transmission in Pakistan. But PTV remained dominant in viewer-ship
all around the country. It was not until 2002, when Gen Pervaiz Musharraf issued
the ordinance for launching the private TV channels. Nearly 100 Channels Came
On TV Screen Like News, Entertainment, Sports, Religion, Infotainment, Music,
Cooking And Business Etc. these channels are providing quality programs all over
the country. These channels are transmitting in different local languages as well.
The news channels has progressed very fast and are playing an important role in
creating awareness in the people of Pakistan.
According to a survey held in 2007, the talk shows were being seen with more
interest than dramas or any other entertainment program. The trend tells that a
change in Pakistani minds has taken place. The people are more concerned about
their country. They listen to the politician very carefully. It brings them a chance to
decide cautiously at the time of elections
FILM
The film refers to the cinema of Pakistan. Most of the films produced in Pakistan
are in Urdu language. Other languages include English, Punjabi, pashton, Balochi
and Sindhi. Pakistan’s largest film industry is Lollywood. The Pakistani film
industry is credited with having produced some of the most notable and recognized
filmmakers, actors, writers and directors, and for introducing pop music to South
Asia and beyond. Competition from Bollywood and piracy, however, have led to
the industry’s decline
HISTORY
 Before partition Pakistan and India had a same film industry. Pakistan at that
time was running under many problems including the poor financial
condition. The shortage of film equipment further paralyzed the industry.
Despite of these hardships, Pakistan made its first film ‘Teri Yaad’ in august
1948. Then a studio was opened by Ever-new Productions in the 1949.
 Before ‘Do Aansu’, all the previous films produced reached mediocre
success. ‘Do Aansu’ reached Silver Jubilee status. The cinema viewer-ship
increased with time, and another film ‘Sassi’ reached Golden Jubilee in
1954.
 To acknowledge the work of the artists Ilyas Rashidi, a journalist, launched
an annual awarding event in 1958. The event was named as “Nigar Awards”.
Firstly, the cinema produced films in black and white, in later years it
introduced colored films.
 The first full length colored film was ‘Sangam’, which was released in 1964.
Indian films were also shown in Pakistan.
CINEMA PROGRESS TIMELINE
1. (1959-1969)
2. (1970-1977)
 3. (1977-1987)
4. (1988-2002)
5. (2003-2009)
6. (2010– now)

(1959-1969)
The decade of 60’s is considered as the golden age of Pakistani cinema. It was the
reign of President Ayub Khan. Many a stars got the status of legends at that time.
The industry at that time had stabilized to some extent, and was financially in a
good position. The relations between the two countries were not much friendly at
that time. The censor board started banning the films. The first one was ‘Bombay
Waallah’, which did not came under scrutiny from the censor board for having a
name that represented a city in India in the wake of the growing tension between
the region. The industry raised the Palestine issue as well through ts films. Due to
an armed conflict between India and Pakistan, all Indian films came under a ban on
showing in Pakistani cinemas. The ban existed till 1952 in west Pakistan and till
1962 in the eastern wing of the country. This enhanced the viewer-ship for the
national films and Pakistan had not to suffer any lose.
(1970-1977)
• In the war of 1971, Pakistan lost its Dacca wing and so the Bangladesh cinema as
well. The more influential workers of the Pakistani cinema left for the new
country. This caused a serious brain drain and the Pakistani industry was at the
brink of collapse. The support to the industry was given by the release of film
‘Dosti’, which received the status of Diamond Jubilee.
• The VCR (video cassette recorder) was introduced in the country in id 70’s and
instantly films from all over the world were copied onto tape, and attendance at
cinemas decreased when people preferred to watch films in the comfort of their
homes. This ushered the birth of the film piracy industry films began to be copied
on tapes on the day they premiered in cinemas.
• In 1976 Pakistan made its first English film named as beyond the last mountain.
The film ‘Aina’ released in 1977 was the most famous film of Pakistan and still
considered one.
 (1977-1987)
It was the time when General Zia ul Haq began to Islamicize the country. This step
of Islamization made the film industry suffer a lot. Imposition of new registration
laws for film producers requiring filmmakers to be degree holders, where not many
were, led to a steep decline in the workings of the industry. The government
forcibly closed most of the cinemas in Lahore. New tax rates were introduced,
further decreasing cinema attendances. Films dropped from a total output of 98
films in 1979, of which 42 were in Urdu, to only 58 films (26 in Urdu) in 1980.
The film makers started producing films that showed violence as the new laws
were not permitting them to make films based on affection. Such films filled with
gory were not welcomed by the middle class rather a low earning segment liked
such films. The cinema culture became to be known as the Gandassa culture.
Pakistan made its first science fiction film in 1989 which received awards at
Moscow Film Festival and even in Egypt and Korea but the country men didn’t
pay it much attention.
(1988-2002)
At the starts of the 1990s, Pakistan’s film industry was gripped with certain doom.
Of the several studios only 11 were operational in the ’70s and ’80s producing
around 100 films annually. This number would lower further as studio went
towards producing short-plays and television commercials and let the industry
astray in the wake of cable television. By the early ’90s, the annual output dropped
to around 40 films, all produced by a single studio. Other productions would be
independent of any studio usually financed by the filmmakers themselves.
After the production of ‘Jinnah’ the actors started working across the borders from
both the sides.
After the release of ‘Choorian’, the investors started taking keen interest in
Pakistani films. However, the short period of successes in the industry could not
keep the cinemas afloat, and the same industry that at one time produced more than
a 100 films annually a decade ago was now reduced to merely 32 per year, in the
year 2003.
(2003-2009)
In early 2003, filmmakers tried another time to make quality local films. The
revival of cinema was much needed. It was the time when Indian directors started
taking Pakistani talent in the form of singer and actors in their films. The Indian
films were again in the cinemas. This gave support to the vanishing cinema but
badly affected the local film making industry.
In August, 2007, a new film titled Khuda Ke Liye was released. It became popular
due to its controversial theme of the current problems faced in Pakistan. It was also
released internationally, including in India, where it became the first Pakistani film
released after four decades. The film was released in more than a 100 cinemas in
20 cities in India
CINEMA TODAY
The progress continues to be in a slow pace. With efforts from a private channel in
Pakistan with a campaign named “revival of cinema”. It resulted in the launch of
“Pakistan New Cinema Movement” in 2009, with around 1400 members. This is a
grass root organization that facilitates networking and publishes articles in an effort
to stimulate production. New films are being produced in Pakistan but still in a
limited number.