PBC Board bill passed despite SOE law barring parliamentarians

Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting passed a bill seeking representation of parliamentarians on the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Board, despite a restriction in the State Owned Enterprises Act, 2023 that bars serving parliamentarians from becoming independent directors of state owned companies.

The committee, which met under the chairmanship of Senator Sarmad Ali, approved the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Amendment Bill, 2025, introduced by Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir in the Senate on December 1, 2025.

The bill proposes including one member of the Senate, nominated by the Chairman Senate, and one member of the National Assembly, nominated by the Speaker, on the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Board.

The committee was told that the purpose of the bill is to increase public oversight of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation by giving elected representatives a place on its board.

During the meeting, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting opposed the bill, pointing to Section 11 of the State Owned Enterprises Act, 2023. Under this provision, a member of the Senate or National Assembly, a member of a provincial assembly, or a person holding political office cannot be appointed or continue as an independent director.

Senator Abdul Qadir argued that parliamentarians have a direct link with the public and could help raise important issues before the government and the boards of major public institutions. He said parliamentary representation could help members stay informed about the progress of projects and problems faced by state owned institutions.

Senator Pervaiz Rashid opposed the proposal, arguing that parliamentarians already have a supervisory role through standing committees and Parliament. He said boards should mainly consist of people with professional knowledge related to the institutions they oversee.

Other members supported the proposal and questioned why parliamentarians were barred from boards while other people could be appointed. The discussion also raised questions about how members of state owned enterprise boards are selected.

The committee was informed that the 2023 law was designed to increase the number of independent members on boards and reduce the number of government representatives. Officials said the chairperson and chief executive of such boards were also intended to be selected from outside government service.

The committee was further informed that the boards of Pakistan Television and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation were still operating on an interim basis because their independent members had not been fully appointed.

Officials told the committee that the PTV board has nine positions, including six independent members and three ex officio members. Five of the six independent positions had been filled, while the process for the remaining position was underway.

After discussion, all members present except Senator Pervaiz Rashid voted in favour of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Amendment Bill, 2025, and the bill passed by the committee.

Chairman Sarmad Ali, however, observed that the legal framework may need to be changed because the SOE Act currently prevents parliamentarians from holding such positions. He recommended an amendment to the SOE Act, 2023 to deal with the issue.

The committee also noted that making a change through the wider SOE law could affect the boards of other state owned enterprises as well, rather than only the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation.