The primary public television network in Pakistan, known as Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), is owned by the Government of Pakistan.
PTV serves as the national public broadcaster, delivering a wide array of programming including news, entertainment, and educational content across its various channels. As a state-owned entity, its operations and mandate fall under governmental oversight.
A notable figure in Pakistan's media landscape, Yousaf Baig Mirza, has played significant roles in both public and private broadcasting. Mirza, a well-known Pakistani media mogul, has previously served as the managing director (MD) of Pakistan Television (PTV). In this executive capacity, he contributed to the administration and strategic direction of the state broadcaster, representing a key leadership position rather than ownership.
It is also important to differentiate PTV from another channel:
Public News
While "public TV Pakistan" commonly refers to the state-owned PTV, the term might sometimes cause confusion with Public News, a distinct Pakistani news channel. Yousaf Baig Mirza is also recognized as the founder of Public News. This channel operates as a private entity, independently from the government-controlled PTV, and is dedicated primarily to news dissemination.
To clarify the ownership and founding roles for these prominent television entities:
| Channel Name | Nature of Ownership/Foundership | Key Figure's Role |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan Television (PTV) | Government of Pakistan (State-owned) | Yousaf Baig Mirza (Former Managing Director) |
| Public News | Private (Founded by Yousaf Baig Mirza) | Yousaf Baig Mirza (Founder) |
Therefore, while Yousaf Baig Mirza has had executive leadership roles within Pakistan's public broadcasting sector at PTV, the official owner of Pakistan Television (PTV) remains the Government of Pakistan. He is, however, the founder of the private news channel, Public News.
