Axact, its channel link comes under scrutiny

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan Wednesday issued an order directing Shoaib Ahmed Shaikh to submit an explanation for not paying salaries to former employees of the TV channel “which is owned by Axact Private Limited”, a company notorious for the fake degree business worldwide.

Chief Justice Saqib Nisar-led bench further sought comments from the accused party, Axact, on the plea of Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) which submitted an application praying it be made party in the case as the said TV channel is funded by Axact which is facing serious charges of fraud, extortion, cybercrime and money-laundering.

The court further directed the high courts of Islamabad and Sindh to expedite the proceedings of pending cases at trial and appeal levels both. In addition, it took suo moto notice on the Peshawar High Court decision of quashing the FIR against a professor who obtained a PhD degree from Axact-run university and was teaching at Bacha Khan University.

The chief justice had taken suo moto notice of the Axact fake degree fraud case on January 19 after new revelations by BBC. This followed the submission of a report by the FIA, the investigation agency conducting the probe in this case.

Meanwhile, the PBA filed an application through late Asma Jahanagir for becoming a party in the case. Also, the former employees of the TV channel appealed to the SC to help them recover the pending dues as Axact funds this media channel and both are owned by Shoaib Shaikh. The last hearing was conducted late Friday.

Regarding the issue of non-payment, the court noted that “a large number of journalists/anchor persons/workers of the TV channel, which is statedly owned by the Axact Private Limited, have come forward to complain that they have not been paid their salaries for years.” The court subsequently put Shoaib Shaikh on explanation. The civil miscellaneous application of the PBA has also been entertained by the court. “Asma Jahangir, learned ASC, has moved an application (HRMA No. 51 of 2018) on behalf of Pakistan Broadcasters Association. Let notice be issued to Axact Private Limited to file a reply to the same before next date of hearing,” concluded the court order.

As for as the quashing of FIR against a university professor, who got PhD from Axact-run university, is concerned, the SC has taken a suo moto notice on this. “We are taking suo moto notice of the order dated 18.01.2018 passed by the Peshawar High Court, Peshawar, regarding the quashment of the FIR. Let the files be retained in this court. This office is directed to register it as a suo moto notice,” stated the order sheet.