PBC Act 1973.

(1) The functions of the corporation shall be

 a)      To provide broadcasting services for general reception in all parts of Pakistan and the territorial waters thereof and on board ships and aircrafts (such services being hereafter referred to as Home Services ) and in other countries and places (such services being hereafter referred to as External Services ) for the purposes of disseminating information, education and entertainment through programmes which maintain a proper balance in their subject-matter and a high general standard of quality and morality.

b)      To broadcast such programmes as may promote Islamic ideology, national unity and principles of democracy, freedom equality, tolerance and social justice as enunciated by Islam, discourage parochial, racial, tribal, sectarian, linguistic and provincial prejudices and reflect the urges and aspirations of the people of Pakistan. 

c)      To broadcasting in the Home Services such special programmes as the Federal Government may, from time to time, direct;

d)      To broadcast programmes in the External Services to such countries and  in such languages and at such times as the Federal Government may, from time to time, direct;

e)      To bring to public awareness the whole range of significant activity and to present news or events in as factual, accurate and impartial a manner as possible.

f)        To carry out instructions of the Federal Government with regard to general pattern or policies in respect of programmes, announcements and news to be put out on the air from time to time;

g)      To hold the existing and to construct or acquire and establish or install additional stations and apparatus;

h)      To hold existing and to construct or acquire additional equipment and apparatus for  telephony in Pakistan for purpose of broadcasting;

i)        To compile, prepare, print, publish, issue, circulate and distribute, with or without charge, such papers, magazines, periodicals, books, circulars and other such matter as may be conducive to any of the functions of the Corporation; and

j)        To collect news and information in any part of the world in any manner that may be deemed fit.

2)         In the discharge of its functions the Corporation shall be guided on question of policy by the instructions, if any, given to it from time to time by the Federal Government which shall be the sole judge as to whether a question is a question of policy.

After independence, Radio Pakistan developed its own identity. The use of Urdu and regional languages of the country as vehicles of communication enabled it to spread varied information and promote Pakistani nationhood and value system as well as its culture through modern communication skills.

Commercially sponsored programmes are also so designed that they meet general ethical standards, which the Pakistani society approves.
Considering that the country is still under-developed, and a sizable portion of its rural population still does not have access to electricity and other amenities, radio has a very vital role to play as a medium of mass information dispersion.

The canvas of radio programmes is as wide and varied as the country itself. Radio Pakistan, being the largest and most fast-reaching mass medium in the country, is entrusted with the task of educating people on the Government policies; informing them of events at home and abroad; to share with them the joys of their achievements on all fronts; ranging from economic growth to agriculture, from sports to arts and literature; to create pride among them for their glorious past; encompassing the independence struggle and the distant chapters of nation history so richly illustrated by the great contributions to human thought and civilization by the Muslim scholars, philosophers and scientists.

The Basic policy which guides radio professionals in the selection of domestic and international news and other general broadcasts is framed on the premise that the broadcast version is factual, based on confirmed sources, does not provoke general dissent or mutual recriminations, meets journalistic ethical standards and saves the radio organization from unnecessary libel complications.