Federal govt spent Rs200m spent on former chairman PTV, SC told

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday was informed that the federal government spent Rs200 million on former chairman PTV Ataul Haq Qasmi.

The audit report was submitted in the apex court wherein it was stated that Qasmi spent Rs2.3 million on luxury trips, Rs2 million on guest house bills, and Rs1.5 million was given to Islamabad Club for his membership.

The SC asked to hand over the copy of the audit to Qasmi's counsel Ayesha Hamid who would file objections within two weeks.



Last week, despite declining revenues the federal government started planning a launch of two new channels, ‘PTV Parliament’ meant for better coverage of parliamentary proceedings and ‘PTV Kids’, specifically for children.

It was revealed during the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage meeting held on Friday at PTV Headquarters.

The members of the NA Standing Committee were informed that currently PTV is unable to generate more revenue and the earning is lower than its expenses.

“PTV’s revenues are gradually declining every year and it has become difficult to meet the expenses within limited resources,” said Information Secretary Sardar Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera.