ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday declared the appointment of former managing director and chairman of Pakistan Television (PTV) Attaullah Haq Qasmi as illegal. The decision was announced by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar The court had reserved the verdict in the matter in July this year. Announcing its 48-page verdict authored by the chief justice, Justice Umar Atta Bandial maintained that Qasmi’s appointment and the perks granted to him were against rules and regulations. The verdict held then information and finance ministers, Pervaiz Rashid and Ishaq Dar, as well as former principal secretary to the prime minister responsible for the illegal appointment. As per the judgement, over Rs190 million was spent in the form of salaries and perks granted to Qasmi. The bench stated that the amount should be returned to the public exchequer by those involved in the illegal appointment, and added, “Qasmi will pay 50 percent of the amount, while the former ministers will pay 20 percent each and the former principal secretary to the premier will have to submit the remaining 10 percent of the Rs190.78 million.” The verdict further commented on Qasmi’s attitude as well, stating that his attitude was unacceptable and that he should not be appointed on any such post in the future. Qasmi, a noted author and playwright, was appointed the chairman of PTV in 2015. In April 2017, he also assumed the additional charge of the MD. During the proceedings, the court was informed by the additional attorney general and information secretary that Qasmi had reportedly received a total of Rs278 million in salaries and advertising cuts during his two-year stint at the state TV channel. Qasmi, a recipient of the Pride of Performance Award, Sitara-e-Imtiaz and Hilal-e-Imtiaz, had denied any wrongdoing. Published in Daily Times, November 9th 2018.