-Qasmi calls former information minister a liar with an attitude problem
ISLAMABAD: Former PTV chairperson Attaul Haq Qasmi has said that former information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb is a perjurer who fabricated facts and then framed him in the PTV corruption case.
“Aurangzeb is a liar and is not faithful to any party. I have said this to her on her face,” Qasmi remarked in an interview with a local media channel.
“She doesn’t know anything or any journalists. She showed me a lot of attitude and I honestly don’t think Marriyum Aurangzeb is sincere to any political party,” he explained while adding, “they didn’t find anything against me and eventually forged a case pertaining to the budget of a programme. I will file an appeal against the judgment”.
I response, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson said that Qasmi is her senior and she has nothing but respect for him. “I don’t have any problem with him,” she told the media when probed about the feud.
Earlier on November 8, the Supreme Court (SC) had declared the appointment of Attaul Haq Qasmi as Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) managing director (MD) and the financial perks received by him during his tenure illegal.
Qasmi, formerly the chairman of PTV, had appointed himself as MD in 2017, sparking controversy.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case in which the top court had reserved its judgement in July.
A short order read by Justice Umar Atta Bandial also held former information minister Pervez Rashid, former finance minister Ishaq Dar as well as former principal secretary to the prime minister Fawad Hassan Fawad responsible for the financial and authority-related perks enjoyed by the former chairman.
In the 48-page judgement authored by the chief justice, the top court has pointed out irregularities and violation of rules in Qasmi’s appointment.
According to the judgement, the national exchequer suffered a loss amounting to Rs190 million in the form of Qasmi’s paycheck and other perks.
The bench noted that Qasmi’s appointment as chairman of the state broadcaster also violated the upper age limit of 65 years, and the former government had moved summaries to relax the rules.
“He was given a handsome salary package of Rs1,500,000 in addition to other perks and a sum of Rs284,163,733 was paid to [Qasmi] and/or expense incurred by him or on his behalf”.
Holding the “illegal appointment” responsible for PTV’s decline in finances and reputation, the verdict added that Qasmi had lacked the skill and expertise needed for a running a company.