Ishrat Fatima returns to PTV as mentor after Radio Pakistan exit
Veteran broadcaster Ishrat Fatima is set to return to national television in a new role, just a day after announcing her retirement from Radio Pakistan. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Thursday confirmed that Ishrat Fatima will join Pakistan Television as a mentor, where she will guide and train young newscasters and broadcasters.
The announcement was made during a media interaction at Ishrat Fatima’s residence in Islamabad, where the minister appeared alongside the respected broadcaster. Attaullah Tarar expressed appreciation for her decision to rejoin PTV, calling it a significant step for the institution and its future talent.
“She is a seasoned newscaster with an illustrious career,” the minister said. “Every Pakistani identifies her voice as she brings over four and a half decades of experience and service to the nation.”
He added that following her retirement from Radio Pakistan, he personally requested her to take on the mentoring role at PTV. According to the minister, Ishrat Fatima’s experience would play a crucial role in training new broadcasters in news reading and presentation across different formats and situations.
“Following her retirement from Radio Pakistan, I personally requested her to join PTV to train the next generation and promote the Urdu language. Throughout her career, she maintained professional integrity without any political associations,” he stated.
Speaking to the media, Ishrat Fatima described news reading as a lifelong pursuit and thanked the minister for entrusting her with a responsibility she considers close to her heart. She said she looks forward to working with younger broadcasters and contributing to the institution’s growth, while also urging continued encouragement of capable professionals across all fields.
The announcement comes a day after Ishrat Fatima publicly shared her decision to retire from Radio Pakistan, ending a career that began in 1983. In a video posted on her Instagram account titled "Mene Radio Pakistan Kiun Chora...", she reflected on her journey, speaking candidly about her experience and the circumstances that led to her departure.
Ishrat Fatima stated that she has been associated with Radio Pakistan since 1983 and described her profession in deeply personal terms. "Reading the news has been my passion, my calling, my love, and my obsession for the past 45 years."
She shared that her wish had always been to continue as long as she was able to do so. "I wished to continue doing this for as long as I am breathing, as long as I have a voice, and as long as my viewers find joy in my work."
Reflecting on her career, she expressed gratitude for the support she received over the years. "All my abilities have supported me in this journey, and the love and respect of my fans make me deeply grateful to Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan for giving me this opportunity."
Ishrat Fatima emphasized that commitment to her craft always came before financial considerations. "I have always tried to do justice to my work. Money was never my priority; doing my job to the best of my abilities has always mattered most to me."
In the video, she also spoke about the challenges she faced, describing them as part of a broader social issue. "I believe it is a societal issue that when people cannot compete with someone’s work, they resort to competing in negative ways. They drain your strength, your patience, your life, and leave you no space to continue working."
She explained that despite working on merit, resistance continued. "Even when you are on merit and doing your work honestly, people stand against you like a brick wall, corner you, and force you to leave helplessly."
Addressing the period that followed, she said, "I waited a long time for the dust to settle and for things to return to normal."
She added that the situation did not improve. "But that never happened. I was made to feel that I was no longer needed at Radio Pakistan, and with a heavy heart, I made the decision to leave."
Despite her pain, Ishrat Fatima spoke with affection about the institution she served for decades. "This institution does not feel or realize; it is loveless. Yet I loved everything about it, the microphones, the corridors, the roofs that kept our voices within its walls."
She concluded her message by expressing the emotional toll of the experience. "Today, I am in immense pain. I have clear pronunciation, a strong voice, I am punctual, I give my best, and I love my work. I tried to honor this institution with all that I had, and now I am left with nowhere to go."
With her return to PTV as a mentor, Ishrat Fatima begins a new chapter in public broadcasting, shifting from the news desk to a role focused on guidance and training.