Graft allegations: FIA opens investigation against ex-PTV chief

Mustafa Kamal Qazi is accused of causing a Rs2b loss to PTV.

ISLAMABAD:

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has opened investigation against the former managing director of PTV, Mustafa Kamal Qazi, and asked for the record of his corruption from the authorities concerned.

Sources privy to the matter reveal that the former PTV chief inflicted a loss of billions of rupees to the corporation, which had to face the worst ever deficit during his tenure.

He made personal deals with various organisations causing a loss of Rs2b to PTV, sources added. It has also been learnt that in an attempt to show that PTV was running in profit, Qazi abolished the benefits given to the employees including medical and office facilities.

The sources further said that Qazi appointed many junior or irrelevant persons on high posts just for personal or monetary gains. The former MD PTV also tried to promote Shahid Mian and Azhar Rasheed Cheema to directorship in violation of the rules and regulations.

Incompetent officers were appointed in the marketing department on the recommendations of the former MD or after accepting money from them, said sources, adding that proofs of Qazi’s corruption are being provided to FIA.

Meanwhile, sources in the PTV Employees Action Committee said that the tenure of Qazi was not only a period of exploitation for the employees but also of serious financial losses for the corporation.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2014.