Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notices to the establishment secretary, former information minister Pervaiz Rasheed, chairman PTV former Attaul Haq Qasmi, former information additional secretary and principal secretary to the prime minister Fawad Hassan Fawad to explain why the post of PTV managing director was vacant for over one year.

A two-member Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan was hearing a suo-motu case pertaining to the appointment of PTV’s managing director (MD).

Appearing on notice, Information Secretary Sardar Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera told the court that the post of PTV’s MD had been vacant since February 26, 2016.

He said the post was advertised on September 23, 2017; however, no appointment could be made. “Who is responsible for not sending the summary for MD’s appointment about 19 months”, the chief justice asked.

The court was then informed that during this period Attaul Haq Qasmi was the chairman of PTV. To a court query, it was shared that Attaul Haqu Qasmi, being the PTV chairman, was drawing Rs 1.5 million salary per month, and he spent Rs 270 million during two years.

“Pakistan is a poor country and this money belongs to taxpayers. How can it be spent like this?” the chief justice asked. To a court query that on what grounds Qasmi was appointed PTV chairman, Sukhera said Qasmi was a veteran playwright and author who had contributed to PTV in the past.

The chief justice noted that Qasmi’s appointment was illegal, adding: “Why not notice should be issued to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for illegally appointing Qasmi PTV chairman.”

Sukhera stated that the board of directors had recommended Qasmi for the post of chairman and the summary for his appointment was moved by former additional secretary information Saba Mohsin Raza and sent to then prime minister Nawaz Sharif for approval. Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing until February 12.

Qasmi was appointed PTV chairman on Dec 23, 2015. He became controversial in April 2017 when he appointed himself to the post of PTV MD alongside his responsibilities as chairman.

Published in Daily Times, February 3^rd 2018.