Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar visited veteran news broadcaster Ishrat Fatima at her residence on Friday and invited her to join Pakistan Television, two days after she announced her departure from Radio Pakistan following 45 years of service.
Sharing the news on his X account, Tarar wrote that he requested Fatima to play a role in training new generation newscasters at PTV, particularly focusing on pronunciation and professional development.
“I had the honor of visiting Apa Ishrat Fatima’s home today. I requested her to play a role in training the new generation of newscasters at Pakistan Television, especially regarding their pronunciation, to which she graciously agreed,” Tarar wrote.
The minister also made a broader commitment to recognise and support senior broadcasting professionals who have served the industry.
آج مجھے آپا عشرت فاطمہ کے گھر حاضر ہونے کا شرف حاصل ہوا۔ اس موقع پر میں نے ان سے پاکستان ٹیلی ویژن میں نئی نسل کے نیوز کاسٹرز کے تلفظ اور ان کی تربیت میں اپنا کردار ادا کرنے کی گزارش کی، جس پر انہوں نے فراخ دلی سے آمادگی کا اظہار فرمایا۔ میں تہہ دل سے آپا کا مشکور ہوں۔ میں نے ان… pic.twitter.com/daF5a3Pgvk
— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) January 15, 2026
“I have promised that senior personalities who have rendered valuable services in Pakistan Television and broadcasting services overall will not only be properly taken care of, but their experience and services will be truly valued, God willing,” he stated.
Tarar clarified that Fatima’s decision to leave Radio Pakistan was her own choice, which the ministry respected, adding that PTV welcomes her on board.
The development comes after Fatima shared an emotional video message on Thursday revealing the circumstances that led to her departure from Radio Pakistan. The veteran broadcaster, who began her journey in 1983 and started reading news in 1984, described facing systematic marginalisation despite maintaining professional excellence.
“What hurts me most today is that my voice is still strong, my eyesight is clear, my pronunciation is good, I reach work on time, and I still love my work deeply,” Fatima said in the video.
She pointed to unfair treatment that ultimately pushed her out, stating that when people cannot compete professionally, they resort to taking away space and opportunities from others.
“I was often told that I am a ‘legend’ and a ‘senior,’ but those words were never translated into respect, opportunity, or space. Again and again, I was made to feel that I was no longer needed,” she revealed.
Despite the painful departure, Fatima expressed no bitterness toward the institutions that shaped her career. “I am not angry with these institutions. They are my first love. But destiny has its own path,” she said.
She ended her message by requesting prayers from her audience, asking that “this painful time does not turn my love for this art into resentment.”