IHC refuses bail to Dr Shahid Masood in PTV corruption case

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiani on Thursday rejected anchorperson Dr Shahid Masood’s bail plea in the Pakistan Television (PTV) corruption case.

Dr Shahid Masood is accused of embezzling Rs37 million during his tenure as managing director PTV, and allotting contracts to a fake company.

On Thursday, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officer Kashif Awan apprised the court that no evidence over the exchange of funds could be found and that no statement had been recorded by the co-accused.

According to the FIA’s investigation, at the time of the agreement Masood paid the company a sum of over Rs3 million. The entity was registered in Lahore and provided catering services.

In November, a local court sent Masood on a five-day judicial remand to Adiala Jail pertaining to the same case. On November 23, FIA arrested Masood from IHC premises after his pre-arrest bail petition was dismissed.

Las month, Masood’s counsel Advocate Shah Khawar told the court that his client’s name had not not included in the first information report (FIR).

He had also said that he signed the documents prepared by the legal adviser while the inquiry committee declared Masood responsible for an agreement with the fake company while he had not been included in the inquiry and had resigned.