PTV is going to introduce its first English language channel from January, 2013. By now everybody knows about it because this was announced by PTV’s managing director in Karachi last week. It is definitely a good sign and a Herculean challenge because no Pakistani TV network has successfully launched an English channel. The MD himself acknowledged this fact while talking to some journalists. The driving force behind the idea is to make those (foreigners) who do not understand Urdu see the real face of Pakistan, which is culturally vibrant.

While we welcome this initiative, the PTV authorities must hire those who are well-versed in the English language since having anchors who speak pigeon English will not serve their purpose well.