PAKISTAN TELEVISION (PTV):The Excitement, Timing, Live Broadcast

<< HISTORY OF TELEVISION:Early History, The Black & White Images, Color Television

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Introduction to Broadcasting MCM 411

LESSON 24

PAKISTAN TELEVISION (PTV)

Radio stations were inherited by Pakistan at the time of partition of the subcontinent in 1947,

only three in number Lahore, Peshawar and Dhaka.

But the world at this point of time was familiar with a black & white television broadcast,

particularly in the West and the USA.

From the early 60s there had been a talk to start television broadcast in Pakistan. Planning

continued and various departments prepared their reports about the feasibility of a complete

TV broadcasting station. Main obstacle in setting up a TV station was not the money, but non

availability of the technical staff which must run the broadcasting house on sound footings. At

last on Nov 26, 1964 country's first TV station was set up in Lahore. Thrilling! Though in many

parts of the world, TV had advanced to color transmission by mid sixties, the PTV was a B/W

version. Nonetheless the enthusiasm of starting a TV broadcasting house was overflowing

and the staff both on the technical as well as programming sides, showed determination to

make this venture a success. And success they achieved in a matter of no time. Bravo!

The Excitement

Watching the moving images at your drawing room was a treat. Only the rich could buy a TV

set in the early days. A status symbol it was to have a set indeed. Relatives and neighbours

would gather around the box much before the broadcast. Women would finish cooking early

and the students would do their homework well before the TV would start playing its typical

signature tune and showing its insignia. The first sight of the announcer was cheered and

voices were raised to call others to come as it has started now. It is irrefutably difficult to forget

those moments of history by the ones who had witnessed them.

Timing

In the early days, TV broadcast was limit to five hours, from 6 pm to 11 pm with one weekly

holiday on Monday. People would sit in front of the set from the signature tune, women would

finish household errands, children doing their homework much before the first images of the

day, which was usually recitation from the Holy Quran. Hardly a person would move away till

the national anthem was played to mark end of the day's transmission. Few, however, had TV

sets in those days and was a privilege to possess one. Neighbours were obliged and the

scene looked like a mini cinema at home.

Live Broadcast

The most prominent feature of PTV's early years was the live transmission for it did not have

the recording facilities. It was not the news to be read in real time, but the talks, plays and

music was also broadcast in real time. It was a unique experience for all the directors,

producers, performers and the technical staff. Hardly one can imagine now that there had

been such an exceptional time in PTV's life.

Introduction to Broadcasting MCM 411

Kanwal Naseer and Tariq Aziz would read news, rushing from radio Pakistan to PTV's new

building which was across the road.

PTV in 1965 War

The September 1965 war with India was a testing time for the whole nation. Nothing was

above the country's defense. The PTV Lahore station did the heroics it still gets credit for. Its

OB teams went to the borders and captured some incredible images of the warring action.

Nothing more could have excited people seeing with their own eyes Pakistan Army's jawans

invading Indian posts, destroying them and capturing enemy's land across the border. With

madam Noor Jahan's spirited national songs in the backdrop, the PTV's showings worked as

a catalyst to fuel the passion for national defense.

1973 National Microwave Network

A major breakthrough was achieved in 1973 when all the TV stations in the country were

linked by microwave network, enabling live telecast of different programs which helped the

PTV save time and money.

Lahore Islamic Summit 1974

PTV added another feather in its cap when it managed extensive live coverage of various

events of the Lahore Islamic Summit which were shown on the national hook-up. The Karachi

and Rawalpindi stations which were functioning from 1967 were linked with the live coverage

of the events. It was due to PTV that at one stage it looked as the whole nation was involved

and a part of the unprecedented events of the summit. From Shalimar Gardens civic reception

to saying prayers at the historic Badshahi mosque, and from the public meeting at the Qaddafi

stadium also addressed by Libya's president Col Qaddafi, to the business meetings at the

Punjab Assembly floor, was a great job done by the PTV in a very well organized manner.

Coloured Broadcast

In mid seventies one could hear talks on doing away with the B/W transmission. One reason

was that in most part of the world the TV transmission was getting colored and companies

were now not making parts for the equipment used in the B/W transmission.

PTV started its services on 26 November 1964 from Lahore. Over the years the system has

grown into a countrywide network offering two programs channels.

1976 Coloured Transmission S

Regular Color transmission started from Feb. 18, 1982.

Introduction to Broadcasting MCM 411

More Developments

1987 Federal TV Centre At Islamabad Commissioned.

1992 Second TV Channel For Education Commissioned.

1996 Local area transmission from Four (4) Stations Started and Extended To 03 More

Stations.

1998 Transmission Of Ptv World Programmes Started. ·

1998 up to 06 production centres (Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Islamabad-I &

Islamabad-II). 35 rebroadcast stations in operation for ptv-1. 16 re-broadcast stations in

operation for ptv-2. · Ptv-1 - area covered: 38%, population covered: 86.48 % · ptv-2 - area

covered: 24.19 %, population covered: 55.83 % ·

Dramas the source of strength to PTV

PTV excelled in broadcasting various programs but what earned it extraordinary glory have

been its dramas. To mention a few;

Parchhaian

Aik muhabat sua afsanay

Shama

Waris

Alpha bravo Charlie

Tanhayian

Alif noon

Sona chandi

Khuda ki basti

Dhoop kinaray

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