Television was first introduced in Pakistan in 1964 with the launch of a black and white station in Lahore. The initial goal was to use television to promote social and cultural development given Pakistan's newly independent and underdeveloped status. Over subsequent decades, television networks expanded across Pakistan and programming grew. By the 1970s, Pakistani television dramas had become well-known across South Asia. While initially state-run, private commercials were later permitted as television aimed to support industry and awareness. Rural access to television remains lower than urban areas due to infrastructure and economic barriers.

1. A “television” (also TV, telly or tube) is a machine with a screen. Televisions receive broadcast
signals and turn them into pictures and sound. The word "television" comes from the words
tele (Greek for far away) and vision (seeing)
Television, transmission and reception of still or moving images by means of electrical signals,
especially by means of electromagnetic radiation using the techniques of radio and by fiber
optic and coaxial cables. Television has become a major industry, especially in the industrialized
nations, and a major medium of communication and source of home entertainment. Television
is put to varied use in industry, e.g., for surveillance in places inaccessible to or dangerous for
human beings; in science, e.g., in tissue microscopy (see microscope); and in education.
Historical Development of Television:
Television is the result of technological developments of the nineteenth and early
twentieth century’s. Television net work began in the 1930s, Rapid growth of
programming came about following World War-II.
Having in two decades – the 1930s and 1940s – emerged from experimental
beginnings to become a fixture in Britain and the United States, it would, in two more
decades, become a World medium.
Developments came with startling speed. Industrial nations that had
participated in pre-war experiments could be expected to make early starts in postwar
television; they included Japan, Canada, Australia, and a number of European •
nations. Less expected was a burst of activity from other nations.
In Latin America, Mexico, Cuba, and Brazil led the way, all launching. Television
operations in 1950. They were followed rapidly by others. By the end of that decade
eighteen Latin American nations had some form of television, with more on the verge.
Asia virtually kept pace, with the Philippines starting in 1953. By the mid-1960s
eighteen Asian nations including Pakistan, had entered the television age; others were
planning to follow. Africa was not far behind. Algeria began in 1965, Egypt in 1960. By
the end of the 1960s fifteen African nations had made a start in television. Half the
world’s nations had by now joined the procession.

2. TV IN PAKISTAN:
The electronic media was well known in Pakistan after independence in 1947. Not only radio
broadcast was being made from Lahore and Peshawar but it was growing steadily.
Although the world at this point of time was familiar with a black & white television broadcast,
particularly in the West and the USA, TV seemed a remote possibility in the newborn country.
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. The
efforts continued, however, and bore fruit when on Nov 26, 1964 country’s first TV station was
setup in Lahore. By this time TV had advanced to color transmission in a number of countries,
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 the technical as well as programming sides,
showed determination to make this venture a success. No one would have imagined at that
point of time, that this small box would bring a revolution in mass communication in this part of
the world where other means of mass communication were proving relatively costlier.
The television is more common in the urban areas of Pakistan whereas in Rural areas the major
means is still the radio. Today it is playing a vital role in creating awareness in the masses. Its a
better device than radio as it provides video features in addition to auditory ones, making it
more interesting for the public. A large number of Pakistanis has access to this modern device
though its expensive to buy. Its more accessible in the developed areas as compared to the
underdeveloped ones due to the low living standards and the availability of the electricity.
Urban Area Access:
Sindh 93
Punjab 90
KPK 83
Baluchistan 81
Rural Area Access:
Sindh 65
Punjab 71
KPK 62
Baluchistan 47
This miraculous device was invented by Philo Frarsworth in September 1927. In Pakistan,
Television was first time introduced in an exhibition near Mazar-e- Quaid on 16 September
1955. It was a short circuit television for audiences meant for entertainment purpose. This
event was arranged by American Embassy to let the Pakistani public see the miraculous
invention.
After radio, television is the most common means of communication in Pakistan. But in Urban
areas of Pakistan, television is more in use than radio. The following chart shows the results of a
research held to see the usage of the two mediums in the major cities of Pakistan. The

3. television is seen by a percentage of 79, whereas radio is listened by 37% of the public, in urban
areas of Pakistan.
Access to satellite has only a onetime cost to the consumer. Such a thing has let even the low
income earners t have access to satellite as a means of their communication to the world. 49%
of such earners in urban areas has access to it. But the situation in the rural areas is a bit
different. The level of poverty, lack of proper transmission signals and poor electricity
infrastructure, are a cause of low access in these areas.
EFFECT OF T.V:
Television, one of electrical devices which has been part of people’s lives, is widely used as
source of entertainment, education and information. Besides of its advantageous function,
there are contradictions where some people agree and disagree that television gives negative
effects which are dangerous for family life and any sense of community. I disagree with the
statement, seeing that the positive effects that are gotten from television are more than the
negative effects.
POSITIVE EFFECTS:
1. Helps the world to act as a small global village.
2. Entertain the public.
3. Provide useful knowledge through news, games and other shows.
4. Make us aware about various products in the market.
5. Preschoolers can learn the alphabets, colors and numbers from television.
6. Children learn about the world and different cultures through television.
7. educational programs can teach children new things, and even help them make new friends
8. Reminds us about our various rights.
9. Documentaries can create a picture of the world in kids' minds.
10. Cultural programs can show children the world of music and art.
Negative Effects Of TV
1. Misguide the viewers.
2. Sometimes channels add spices to gain publicity i.e. the data is not always correct enough
to rely on.
3. Creates a type of violence streak in the viewers.
4. Long time watching creates physical health problems.
5. Children who watch TV for more hours are more likely to be overweight. This is mainly
because these children don’t spend their time outdoors playing games or indulge in any
physical activity. Instead, they constantly sit for hours together, watching television.
6. Children could easily get addicted to television and spend more time watching TV than
being with family or friends.

4. 7. Television may also affect relationships between families since it may not allow family
members to spend quality time with each other. It may also stop people from following
other good habits like reading books and socializing.
In conclusion, television gives positive and negative effects. It could be entertaining, educative,
and informative to people, which are the three positive effects, as well as increase the value of
family life and sense of community. The negative effects that might be given could be
prevented if the audiences are guided correctly.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF T.V IN
PAKISTAN IS DEPEND UPON THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEVELOPMENT
OF T.V NETWORK IN PAKISTAN
Development of Television Network in Pakistan
On 26 November 1964, first news were broadcasted which beamed black and white
transmission by the PTV. The television division in the Punjab Province was established with the
help of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)). Private industries commercials
were permitted with no fee, initially all the commercials of industrial conglomerates were tax-
free and there were no additional charges at that time.
The PTV remained a private institution until its shares were sold to the Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting. After the first transmission in 1964 from Lahore, there were further
transmissions from Dhaka, Rawalpindi and Islamabad in 1965 and in 1966 in Karachi.
PTV was brought under the complete control of the state in 1971, under the Nationalization
Program, and the service was expanded all over the country. Centers were opened in Peshawar
and Quetta in 1974. in 1976 it began color transmission. In 1987 Pakistan Television Academy
was founded in 1987 to train the students who wished to be in this field.
During the decades of 1970′s, 80′s and 90′s PTV teleplays were the best considered programs of
the subcontinent and were known all around the world. Dramas like Khuda Ki Basti, Unkahi,
Tanhaiyaan, AanganTerha, Fifty Fifty, Studio Dhai, Studio Ponay Teen, AndheraUjala,
SonaChandi, Uncle Urfi, Taleeem e Balighan, Alif Noon, Waaris, DhoopKinare, Sunehray Din,
Alpha Bravo Charlie and Ana,are to count but a few, which were the main reason of its fame.

5. Development Of Television In Pakistan Before Cable Invasion :
Authorities in Pakistan introduced television in 1964 with the aim to uplift the nation
socially and culturally. As Pakistan was a newly-born state and under-developed, it was
thought that television could help in achieving progress in the country through
dissemination of information, knowledge, education and awareness. Before Pakistan
television started in 1964, Pakistani public was a little bit familiar with television through
an exhibition where Philips Electrical Company installed a few television sets and
televised few foreign films. In October 1963, a national publicity conference was held
under the chairmanship of the President Ayub Khan that decided to set up a television
station in Pakistan. Hence Pakistan entered into television broadcasting age with a small
pilot television station at Lahore on November 26, 1964 from where transmission was
beamed black and white. This station telecast some live but amateur programmes and
some of foreign films. Initially, television centre was set up with the help of UNESCO,
Colombo plan and Japanese government. To meet the graving cost of television
broadcasting, commercial telecast was also permitted but no license fee was charged on
television set at that time.