ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Information Chairman Irfan Siddiqui has proposed imposing Rs50 radio tax on all vehicles in the capital to steer the state broadcaster out of financial crunch.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) presented a set of proposals to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue on Wednesday to address the ongoing economic crisis plaguing Radio Pakistan.

He also proposed collection of a yearly radio fee of Rs500 during the annual token renewal process of the vehicles. At present, there was no radio licence fee in the country.

Senator Siddiqui suggested that for the time being implementation of this tax might be limited to Islamabad Capital Territory as registration fell under the provincial jurisdiction.

In a later stage, the matter can be deliberated upon in the Council of Common Interests (CCI) so that the radio fee may be extended across the country if approved.

Alternatively, Senator Irfan Siddiqui proposed another solution wherein the existing per month television fee of Rs35 be increased to Rs50, and the additional Rs15 should be allocated to Radio Pakistan. This alternative approach would effectively address the financial woes faced by Radio Pakistan.

The Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue, chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, is currently in session to discuss various budget proposals submitted by the senators.

Senator Siddiqui, who had also raised this critical issue during his recent budget speech in the Senate, expressed deep concern over the pension and salary grievances of long-serving radio employees who have resorted to street protests.

Emphasising the urgency of the matter, Senator Irfan Siddiqui has also taken up the issue with Minister of State for Finance Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha.

In a letter addressed to Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Senator Siddiqui highlighted that Radio Pakistan was not primarily a commercial or profit-generating enterprise but a national asset and the voice of the people.

He said governments across the globe supported radio services in various ways, and recommended the mandatory inclusion of radio licence fee during vehicle registration, equivalent to 5pc of the registration fee, to secure a sustainable funding mechanism.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2023