PTV MD removal ordered
Shahid Rao
ISLAMABAD – Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday declared appointment of Managing Director (MD) Pakistan Television Yousaf Baig Mirza as illegal.
IHC Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui also directed the government to adopt competitive process to appoint new MD PTV within 30 days.
The court announced the decision over a petition submitted by former MD PTV Ashraf Azeem against the appointment of the incumbent MD Yousaf Baig Mirza.
Earlier, IHC Wednesday had directed the managing director (MD) Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) Yousaf Baig Mirza to provide details of financial benefits that he earned since his appointment including the details of three per cent of the total revenue he earned through advertisements.
The court had also questioned Baig that what competitive process was adopted for his appointment as MD PTV.
During the court proceedings on Wednesday, MD Baig admitted before the court that no competitive process was adopted. He also confirmed that under an agreement with information ministry he was entitled to receive three per cent of the profit PTV was earning through advertisements.
Justice Siddiqui also directed Baig to submit details of inductions in PTV during his tenure. IHC bench inquired from the MD PTV why he was appointed against a hefty salary package of Rs 12,75,000 alongside three per cent of the net profit.
Counsel for Baig, advocate Naeem Bokhari, told the court that Baig had been working as MD Geo television and MD Dunya TV before his appointment as MD PTV and all MDs of PTV were always appointed through the same method without advertising the posts.
Advocate Babar Awan, on behalf of the information ministry, argued before the court that PTV was a corporation earning revenue by itself and paying to the workers. After inception of PTV since 1965, 34 MDs were appointed and all in the similar fashion.
He further argued that rules were strictly adhered to in Baig’s appointment. After approval by the PTV board of governors, summary was sent to establishment division for his appointment, he said. The establishment division after getting the approval of the prime minister issued his appointment letter, he added.
IHC Bench observed that it had no doubt about the competency of Baig but if the due process would have been adopted a more competent person could be appointed for the said post, he added. IHC bench observed that the Supreme Court in a number of cases examined the similar appointments and issued orders accordingly.
Source: The Nation
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