The government under the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) has allocated astaggering amount of funds for media advertisements, a move that has drawnsignificant attention, especially considering the country’s ongoingeconomic crisis.
During a recent session of the senate standing committee on information,the secretary of information provided an overview of the expendituresincurred by the 13-party coalition over their 16-month tenure.
Shocking revelations emerged during the briefing, with a staggering Rs 10billion being disclosed as the total expenditure on media advertisementsduring the PDM coalition’s time in power. Out of this substantial sum, thesecretary specified that approximately Rs 9.60 billion was directed towardsvarious advertising endeavors.
Breaking down the numbers further, it came to light that the previousgovernment had allocated Rs 3.50 billion for print media advertisements, aconsiderable sum in its own right. In addition, a substantial Rs 4.79billion had been channeled into electronic media advertisements,highlighting the government’s intent to maintain a significant mediapresence. To complete the picture, Rs 1.23 billion had been allocated fordigital media advertisements, emphasizing the diverse range of mediaplatforms engaged by the government.
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The senate committee’s decision to summon details of advertisement ratesacross all channels underscores the need for transparency andaccountability in government spending, particularly in the context of achallenging economic situation. These revelations raise questions about thepriorities and financial decisions made by the PDM government during theirtenure in office, sparking a broader conversation about responsiblegovernance and the allocation of public resources