RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The audit officials informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the government spent Rs200 million on playwright and columnist Attaul Haq Qasmi during his two-year stint as managing director and chairman of the state-run Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV).

A three-member Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah was hearing a suo motu case pertaining to Qasmi’s appointment as PTV head.

The Chief Justice noted those who appointed Qasmi as PTV managing director/chairman would have to return back this amount if his (Qasmi’s) appointment is found to be illegal.

The court directed Ayesha Hamid, the counsel for Qasmi, to submit objections within two weeks on the audit report submitted in the court and the report should also be provided to former Information Minister Senator Pervez Rasheed.

According to audit report, many misappropriations took place during the tenure of Qasmi as PTV managing director and chairman. He was entitled for one official vehicle, whereas he had illegally been using three official vehicles.

During the proceedings, a woman employee of PTV requested the Chief Justice to take notice of the matter involving the PTV employees. The Chief Justice told her that he had stopped taking suo motu notices. The woman stated that she had read in the newspapers about stoppage of suo motu notices.

“If you say, I take last suo motu notice on your application,” the Chief Justice spoke to her smilingly.

The additional attorney general apprised the court that the report of chartered account is available and according to it, PTV chairman was not given any salary.

He said Qasmi had been using an official vehicle for his protocol, besides he had been using official fuel in his private vehicle. According to audit report, Qasmi took membership of Islamabad Club by paying Rs1.5 million from the national exchequer. He spent Rs2. 3 million on personal recreation from national exchequer. Besides, a bill of Rs2.1 million of a guesthouse where Qasmi had been staying was also paid by the PTV.

The Chief Justice remarked that it has to be decided by the court whether appointment of Qasmi as PTV managing director/chairman was legal or not. He said if his appointment is proven illegal, the whole expenses incurred upon him will be received from those who were responsible for his appointment.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing for two weeks.