MD PTV Arshad Khan removed from post

ISLAMABAD: Managing Director Pakistan Television (PTV) Arshad Khan on Thursday removed from his post, ARY News reported.

Colonel (retd) Hassan has been given charge of the state broadcaster.

Arshad Khan was under fire after fixing his monthly salary to Rs 2.2 million. Sources informed that two Benami cheques of Rs 3.1 million and Rs 1.7 million were traced during the initial investigation.

During the Senate Committee meeting on March 5, PTV MD Arshad Khan had failed to convince the senate’s standing committee for human rights regarding issue of pensions and wages of the state television’s employees. The committee had also hinted at sending the matters of the Benami cheque and financial irregularities to the National Accountability Bureau.

Fawad Chaudhry had stated that Arshad Khan had lobbied to become the Managing Director and has asked for his resignation due to his inability to run the affairs of the state broadcaster.

Read more: Fawad responds to Naeemul Haq by tweeting Ghalib’s couplet

It may be recalled that, differences between Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry and Prime Minister’s Aide on Political Affairs Naeemul Haq surfaced few days back over the Pakistan Television (PTV) MD’s performance.

It started when, Haq took on twitter to respond comments made by Chaudhry about MD PTV’s performance and said, “The Prime Minister has full confidence in the Board of PTV and it’s management and believes PTV should be an independent organisation like BBC and the government will take all steps necessary towards that end.”