PTV appointments make waves

By Shahzad Raza

ISLAMABAD: The worst cases of favoritism and gross violation of the rules and regulations were witnessed in the Pakistan Television (PTV) when it appointed 10 producers without meeting the specified selection criteria.

Daily Times was told that the production controversy has prompted the new PTV managing director, Akhter Waqar Azeem, to order an inquest into their appointment. “The newly appointed producers have served as stenographers, typists and telephone operators, and they have not had any experience in production whatsoever,” according to sources.

The appointees include Mr Saifullah, formerly a stenographer and Mr Fareed, a former typist, both at the Lahore station, Muhammad Idrees, a former telephone operator, in Islamabad, Amir Memon, a former personal assistant to design manager in Karachi, Shujaat Ullah, a former stenographer, in Karachi, Qazi Abdul Hameed, a former clerk at dubbing cell, Khalid Latif, a former IT professional, Qamar Zia, a former IT professional, and Sohail Nasir, a former personal assistant at the PTV headquarters.

Only newly appointed Sami Almas carries a three-year experience in production. According to the criteria, the appointees should have had a Master’s degree and at least a five-year experience in the field of production. “On the contrary, none of the candidates have got the experience,” the sources said.

The sources also revealed a series of murky appointments that were made at the behest of Yousuf Beg Mirza, a former managing director, and other senior government officials. For instance, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, the Information Minister, was reportedly singled out for allegedly favouring two producers.

When Mr Ahmed was asked to comment on his involvement, he denied having done anything wrong. “I always favour people if possible, but this time I have not done so,” the minister said. “Yes, we have set up a committee so as to probe into the matter.”

Mr Ahmed added that the inquiry committee would soon present a report that would help the authorities concerned take action accordingly. But he refused to disclose who would spearhead the proposed committee.

Contrary to the minister’s comments, there appears to be a serious resentment growing among the senior PTV producers accusing the government of taking a number of “wrong decisions” that they fear might further tarnish the PTV image.

PTV chief in double trouble: Meanwhile, the sources revealed that the authorities concerned are considering sacking Khawaja Najamul Hassan, Lahore’s PTV general manager, and there are speculations that he could be named OSD instead.

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