ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Monday reserved its judgment in a case regarding the appointment of Attaul Haq Qasmi as Pakistan Television (PTV) Managing Director (MD).
A three-member bench headed by the Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case.
The apex court reserved judgment regarding the appointment and will announce it next week. However, the proceedings regarding expenditure will continue.
The bench also directed Ernst & Young (EY) to audit the expenditure of Rs270 million for the MD. A representative of EY will inform the apex court about the time required to perform a full audit in the next hearing.
During the course of proceedings, Additional Attorney General (AAG) Rana Waqar informed the court that Attaul Haq Qasmi’s approval was given on the then-information minister’s summary.
The chief justice remarked how top bureaucrats were uninformed about the law and no written approval was obtained from then prime minister Nawaz Sharif, neither did he issue a notice.
Principle Secretary to the Prime Minister Fawad Hasan Fawad said the board sent the summary of appointment and establishment and finance divisions validated it.
“After that the PM gave approval. No instruction of Attaul Haq Qasmi’s appointment was given by me or the prime minister,” he added.
He said neither he nor the prime minister had approved financial privileges.
Qasmi's lawyer Ayesha Hamid said the state television had earned a revenue of Rs600 million during the former MD's tenure.
The chief justice dismissed this argument and termed the appointment as against the law.
Chief Justice Saqib Nisar also admonished former information minister for not appointing a lawyer, reminding him that the court had warned him of consequences if he failed to hire a legal representative.
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