The Supreme Court (SC) declared on Thursday the appointment of Pakistan Television's (PTV) former managing director (MD) and chairman Ata-ul-Haq Qasmi as illegal.

Back in 2017, Qasmi had appointed himself as MD for the state-run broadcaster while also remaining the chairman, thus sparking a controversy. However, after five days he was replaced by Information Secretary Sardar Ahmed who was appointed as acting MD at the time. Last year in December, Qasmi had resigned from the post of PTV chairman which he had served for two years.

During the hearing today, Judge Umar Atta Bandial read out the verdict and ruled that Qasmi's appointment was against rules and pointed out irregularities in it. The SC ordered that all the administrative orders passed by Qasmi as PTV chairman were also illegal and without any lawful authority.

The bench held former Information Minister Pervez Rashid, former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Fawad Hassan Fawwad responsible for Qasmi's appointment, local media reported. The bench also ordered that RS 190.7 million should be recovered from the three held accountable.

Earlier this year, the Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar, while taking up the suo motu case hearing, had reserved the 48-page verdict in the case.