SC summons Pervaiz Rashid, Fawad Hasan in Qasmi’s salary case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday summoned former information minister Pervaiz Rashid and Secretary to Prime Minister Fawad Hassan Fawad regarding appointment of Attaul Haq Qasmi as Chairman of state-run TV. A two-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, heard a suo moto case regarding Qasmi’s appointment as state-run TV chairman. Appearing on notice, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sardar Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera informed the bench that Qasmi received about Rs2.7 million salary and other benefits a month. On that, the chief justice said the money belonged to the people of Pakistan, and questioned how the money of taxpayers could be distributed like this. To a court query, Sukhera said that Qasmi was a veteran playwright and author who had contributed to state-run TV in the past.

He further submitted that the board of directors had referred Qasmi for the post of chairman, and his appointment summary was moved by former additional information secretary Saba Mohsin Raza.

He said that finally, the summary was sent to then prime minister Nawaz Sharif for approval. The chief justice said that as the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had signed the summary, why he should not be summon adding if needed the court would call him.

The CJ observed as if it was proved that Attaul Haq Qasmi was illegally appointed, they would ask the responsible persons to pay the amount paid to former chairman. Meanwhile, the court issued notices to Additional Secretary Saba Mohsin and adjourned the hearing till February 12.