Federal Government Moves to Revive PTV Drama and Film Academy
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Monday directed the formulation of a comprehensive strategy to revive the Pakistan Television Drama and Film Academy as a modern training institution, equipping young people with professional skills in filmmaking, drama production and digital content creation. The high-level meeting focused on revamping PTV Home through specialised training programmes, modern technical facilities and practical, industry-oriented training models. Federal Secretary for Information Ashfaq Ahmed Khalil and senior officials of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting attended the session in Islamabad.
The latest directives come as part of a broader government push to revitalize state media infrastructure and support the country's growing creative economy. By updating institutional frameworks, authorities hope to bridge the gap between traditional broadcasting standards and the demands of modern digital markets. State television has a long history of producing acclaimed drama serials, and officials aim to reconnect the network with its legacy of cultural impact through structured youth education.
Training Models and Private Sector Collaboration
During the meeting, various training models proposed in collaboration with the private sector were reviewed, with a focus on providing hands-on professional training to young people while creating new revenue streams for Pakistan Television. Minister Tarar said the revival of the academy and the revamping of PTV Home were part of the government commitment to promoting the media and creative industries in the country. He directed that a transparent and practical pilot project be launched in partnership with private entities to ensure that training programmes remained aligned with the evolving needs of the industry.
Public-private partnerships form a central pillar of this institutional upgrade, allowing state broadcasters to leverage external expertise and market-driven practices. Officials evaluated proposals for establishing modern classrooms and studio laboratories, installing workstations for students, appointing technical staff and trainers, and developing a comprehensive curriculum. Financial sustainability remains a key objective, with management exploring ways to make the academy self-sufficient over the long term.
Introducing Advanced Colour Grading Facilities Locally
Minister Tarar noted that Pakistan was launching, for the first time, an advanced training programme in colour grading, adding that previously, professionals had to travel abroad to acquire training and access modern facilities in this specialised field. Colour grading is a critical post-production phase that determines the visual tone and aesthetic quality of films and television dramas. High costs and a lack of domestic infrastructure historically forced local directors and editors to seek post-production services in other countries.
The availability of advanced colour-grading facilities in Pakistan would provide the film industry and private sector with access to modern technical training and resources, while helping improve the quality of local filmmaking. By keeping post-production work inside the country, the initiative is expected to reduce expenses for local production houses and retain creative capital within the domestic market.
Curriculum, Infrastructure and Practical Assignments
The minister said all necessary measures would be taken to make the PTV Academy an effective and fully functional institution in line with modern requirements. Equipping young people with practical skills in filmmaking, drama production, editing, colour grading and digital content creation is among our key priorities, he stated during the review. Students will receive instruction in a professional environment equipped with modern editing suites, studio laboratories and technical equipment.
Administrators emphasized that the training programmes would focus not only on theoretical knowledge but also on practical assignments, project development and portfolio building to enhance the professional capabilities of participants. This hands-on approach ensures that trainees graduate with tangible work samples ready for presentation to prospective employers in the entertainment sector.
Broadcasting Opportunities for Emerging Talent
The minister further said young people creative projects would be encouraged for PTV News, PTV Home and other Pakistan Television platforms, providing emerging talent with opportunities to share their work with nationwide audiences. Integrating student productions into regular broadcast schedules offers a direct pathway from education to professional exposure. The initiatives would help strengthen Pakistan film and drama industry by developing a skilled workforce, introducing advanced technical expertise and making modern production facilities available locally.
Industry observers note that structured training initiatives are essential for sustaining the recent resurgence of domestic cinema and television serials. By formalizing education in technical disciplines, the academy aims to raise technical standards across the board, benefiting independent creators as well as established networks.
