PTI demands PTV chairperson’s resignation over ‘serious violations’
Party leader Andleeb Abbas calls for probe into massive misuse of public funds, public office by Ataul Haq Qasmi
PTV Chairman Ata ul Haq Qasmi. PHOTO: APP
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday asked the government to provide information regarding the appointment and retention of state-run Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV)’s chairperson Ataul Haq Qasmi despite "serious violations" under Freedom of Information Ordinance 2002.
PTI demands removal of PTV chairman
PTI leader Andleeb Abbas in her letter addressed to State Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb asked for certified information for five questions regarding Qasmi assuming and later relinquishing the additional charge of the state-run television.
“The Information Ministry continues institutional corruption of appointing/retaining people involved in corrupt and illegal practices,” said Abbas. “Being the citizen of Pakistan and a taxpayer, under the Article 19-A of the Constitution of Pakistan and Freedom of Information Ordinance 2002, I, Andleeb Abbas, need certified information regarding retaining Ataul Haq Qasmi as chairperson PTV after he was removed as MD for his illegal act of self-appointment.”
Demanding the Information Ministry to immediately seek Qasmi’s resignation from the post of PTV chairperson, she called for an investigation by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) into the “massive misuse of public funds and public office”.
Qasmi relinquishes post of PTV’s MD
The development comes a day after Qasmi relinquished the additional charge of PTV MD, a position he had recently assumed, after facing scathing criticism from opposition parties, including the PTI, which demanded his immediate removal from the chairmanship of the state-run television.
Last week, Pakista Peoples Party Senator Farhatullah Babar had informed a Senate panel that Qasmi recently called a meeting of the PTV board and passed a resolution nominating himself as MD in addition to holding the post of chairperson of the television.
PTI demands removal of PTV chairman
PTI leader Andleeb Abbas in her letter addressed to State Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb asked for certified information for five questions regarding Qasmi assuming and later relinquishing the additional charge of the state-run television.
“The Information Ministry continues institutional corruption of appointing/retaining people involved in corrupt and illegal practices,” said Abbas. “Being the citizen of Pakistan and a taxpayer, under the Article 19-A of the Constitution of Pakistan and Freedom of Information Ordinance 2002, I, Andleeb Abbas, need certified information regarding retaining Ataul Haq Qasmi as chairperson PTV after he was removed as MD for his illegal act of self-appointment.”
Demanding the Information Ministry to immediately seek Qasmi’s resignation from the post of PTV chairperson, she called for an investigation by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) into the “massive misuse of public funds and public office”.
Qasmi relinquishes post of PTV’s MD
The development comes a day after Qasmi relinquished the additional charge of PTV MD, a position he had recently assumed, after facing scathing criticism from opposition parties, including the PTI, which demanded his immediate removal from the chairmanship of the state-run television.
Last week, Pakista Peoples Party Senator Farhatullah Babar had informed a Senate panel that Qasmi recently called a meeting of the PTV board and passed a resolution nominating himself as MD in addition to holding the post of chairperson of the television.