Former PTV MD faces four inquiries | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Former PTV MD faces four inquiries

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is probing into the Pakistan Television Corporation’s (PTV) former acting managing director Mustafa Kamal Qazi’s alleged corruption, which pushed the state-run organisation to the verge of destruction.

The FIA is investigating the alleged misappropriation of Rs100million, which the former MD got released with the complicity of a contractor by showing some under-construction booster as completed on documents.

Ironically the Secretary Information Dr Nazeer Saeed was aware of the scam. However, instead of taking action against the MD, he sent engineers to expedite work on the under-construction sites. According to sources, the FIA had reservations over the transparency of the inquiry while Qazi was still in office.

Apart from the FIA’s inquiry, the PTV has also initiated three other inquiries against the former MD.

The former MD allegedly appointed his favourites at key positions, who, according to sources, also aided him in his misappropriations. The first such appointment was that of Azhar Rasheed Cheema, who was made director public relations, while he did not have any relevant experience.

Cheema was also included in the procurement committee to ensure the MD received his ‘share’ in all purchases. As a result of these misappropriations, the PTV Global was pushed to destruction. Later, falling out of favour, Cheema was demoted and transferred back to the computer division.

In the same way, Qazi also appointed Shahid Mian as director marketing in view of his ‘services’. But he also fell out of favour and transferred back as general manager.

Express Tribune