NAB decides to summon PM Imran Khan's special assistant

NAB decides to summon PM Imran Khan's special assistant

ISLAMABAD – The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has decided to summon Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Media Yousuf Baig Mirza next week in a case related to misuse of authority and more than 2,000 appointments in state-run Pakistan Television.

An inquiry had been initiated against Mirza earlier this year. According to reports in local media, he will be summoned next week to record his statement on several allegations against him.

According to the inquiry conducted by anti-graft watchdog, Mirza had worked as PTV managing director for three tenures, each of three years. He was accused of becoming head of the state-run TV three times without meeting required criteria and rules.

Meanwhile, the anti-graft watchdog has asked information ministry to provide some details that how YBM was appointed as managing director PTV for three terms from 22-10-1998 to 08-03-2003, 10-04-2007 to 21-06-2008 and from 09-10-2010 to 12-04-2013 respectively.

Mirza has also been accused of appointing 2,325 people in PTV during his nine years stay in the organisation. Of which 50 official were appointed on regular pay scale without any advertisement and prerequisite.

The NAB accused YBM of appointing 200 those employees who did not meet the criteria as they were overage having education degree of third division.

The prime minister’s special assistant was also accused of misuse of his powers by giving group awards against merit depriving the eligible and deserving people. He was also accused of disposing of many cases of employees who held fake education degrees.The NAB inquiry said YBM purchased TV drama series from private productions despite having a force of more than 200 producers in the PTV who could do the same job.

In this way all PTV studios and their staff remained unutilised causing millions of rupees loss to the national exchequer.