Federal info minister, special assistant come face to face

ISLAMABAD: A tiff has emerged between the top media aides of Prime Minister Imran Khan -- Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Adviser to PM on Political Affairs Naeemul Haque – over running the affairs of the state-run TV.

Naeemul Haq says Prime Minister Imran Khan has full confidence in the board of the state-run TV and its management. “The prime minister has full confidence in the Board of PTV and its management and believes PTV should be an independent organisation like BBC and the government will take all steps necessary towards that end,” Naeemul Haque said in a tweet.

According to sources, the information minister had written a letter to the PTV MD Arshad Khan expressing displeasure over his performance. Fawad Chaudhry in his letter said that there is a lot of mismanagement in PTV and it is even unable to buy the rights of PSL telecast due to which the institution suffered massive financial losses.

He also objected to the hefty salaries of the board of directors. He said the PTV management has failed badly and if the situation remained the same, the institution will collapse. On Wednesday, Fawad Chaudhry also jointed the protest of PTV employees against the MD.

Fawad said some un-elected people are sitting in the Prime Minister House who have no idea about politics. He said the senior management officers of the state-run TV are receivingsalaries in millions and common employees are made to run from pillar to post for their salaries and pensions which has created an ugly situation. He also chanted slogans along with the protesting employees against the MD.

Naeemul Haue in response said all the newcomers in the PTI must understand and follow the philosophy of Imran Khan. He added that those who do not believe in the ideology have no future in the party. Responding back to Naeemul Haque, Fawad in a careful manner re-tweeted one of his fan’s tweet advising Naeemul Haque to contest election if he wants to be a politician rather than depending on friendship with Imran Khan.

Meanwhile, the Board of Directors of the state-run TV has refuted the allegations levelled against them in the letter by Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry. While terming all the accusations baseless, the state-run channel maintained that the board of directors has severe concerns over the letter as the allegations are false, biased and contrary to ground facts. “The board of directors have expressed reservations over the continuous criticism from your side on the channel and its administration. Because of you, the conflicts of state channel are discussed on private channels. PTV is neither a government department nor a subsidiary of Ministry of Information,” says the letter by PTV.

It further added that badmouthing from the minister has created an uncertain situation due to which major departments which provide business to PTV have begun to dissociate. “Improving the performance of PTV is the joint responsibility of government, administration and board. The channel’s performance has incessantly worsened in the past 10 years,” says the letter. “Due to criminal negligence, PTV’s mismanagement and corruption increased with time due to which the organisation is on the brink of destruction,” concluded the letter.