PTV World’s ambitious revival under senior anchor Talat Hussain collapses as he resigns early. Despite big budgets and bold plans, the state-run English news channel fails to relaunch successfully.
By MediaBites Staff | August 7, 2025
ISLAMABAD – In what is being seen as yet another setback in the career of senior anchor Talat Hussain, the government’s ambitious plan to revamp PTV World — Pakistan’s English-language news channel — has quietly collapsed.
Hussain, brought in earlier this year as a media advisor to help reposition the struggling channel into a credible voice on the global stage, resigned last week before completing his six-week tenure. According to insiders, the government has now shelved the project, shifting its focus toward digital platforms instead of traditional TV.
The revival effort gained momentum in May 2025 during heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, when the government sought an international-standard channel to counter misinformation being spread by Indian media. PTV World, launched in 2012, was considered a strategic tool to present Pakistan’s viewpoint to a global audience. However, plagued by poor management and financial woes from the outset, the channel had consistently underperformed.
Despite initial hesitation, Talat Hussain accepted the role of a consultant to spearhead the relaunch, overseeing hiring, planning, and execution. A significant budget was approved, with plans to shift operations from the PTV headquarters to the former STN building in Islamabad’s H-9 sector. The move sparked protests from the PTV union, which were later resolved.
An ambitious hiring plan of 446 staff — including 45 administrative positions — raised eyebrows. Critics argued that staffing levels were excessive, especially when rival media networks operate with similar numbers across multiple channels. For the chief editor’s role alone, such an overwhelming number of applications crashed the online system and forced a deadline extension.
Despite laying out a fresh strategy, Hussain was reportedly unable to deliver the turnaround the government hoped for. The project struggled to gain traction and eventually fizzled out.
With his resignation, journalist Numood Muslim has now taken over the reins at PTV World. However, sources say the rebranding initiative has been abandoned. The channel is expected to continue in its current state — a bloated and ineffective media outlet weighed down by bureaucracy and outdated practices.
This marks another chapter in Talat Hussain’s post-mainstream career, where despite joining and leaving several top TV channels, pulling consistent ratings or impactful digital transformation has remained elusive.
Summary:
- PTV World’s relaunch project has failed, with anchor Talat Hussain resigning before completing his term.
- Heavy recruitment, budget allocation, and strategic planning couldn’t fix the channel’s deep-rooted issues.
- The government is now shifting its focus to digital, while journalist Numood Muslim takes over the existing operations
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