ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to appoint PM’s Special Assistant on Media Affairs Yousaf Baig Mirza as the chairman of the state-run Pakistan Television Cooperation (PTV), Pakistan Today has learnt.
Sources said that the matter will be taken up for deliberation on Tuesday.
Yousaf Baig Mirza worked at the state-run television as the managing director (MD) thrice under different governments. Nawaz Sharif appointed him as the MD in 1999. Later, former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf posted him on the same position in 2007. Finally, former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani appointed him as the MD in 2010. Currently, he is serving as the prime minister’s special assistant on media affairs.
Since the incumbent government took charge, the state-owned television is in crisis. This is partly due to the economy and partly due to the tussle between Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry and PTV MD Arshad Khan.
The latest appointment has the potential of disturbing the affairs of the state-run television because both Yousaf and Arshad have good relations with the premier. The power tussle at PTV is notable for straining relations as can be seen from Fawad-Arshad spat.
Sources said that the prime minister had approved Yousaf’s appointment last week. The information ministry would seek approval for appointing Yousaf as the board member and then the board would approve his appointment as the chairman.