Government removes managing director of PTV

ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday removed managing director of the Pakistan Television (PTV) over a typographical error during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s live speech from Beijing, ARY News reported.

The removal of col. (retd) Hassan Immad Mohammadi as MD national television came following the PM’s live speech at the Central Party School in Beijing, being aired live by the PTV, carried an incorrect spelling of Beijing. The footage, which was about 20 seconds long, was shared by a large number of people on social media, thus drawing attention of the government.

Mr. Hassan was appointed as managing director of the PTV on Oct 22. The notification of his removal doesn’t state the reason of the government’s action.

The notification of Hassan’s removal underlines that the decision is taken after approval of Federal Minister for Information, Fawad Chaudhry.

The PTV management had already suspended two of its employees over the typo that caused embarrassment to the government.

The official Twitter handle of the PTV had also regretted the error saying, “Today, during a live address of the prime minister during his ongoing visit to China, a typographical error took place, which remained on screen for 20 seconds and later removed. This incident is regrettable. Strict action has been initiated under rules against concerned officials.”