The Supreme Court on Thursday directed former Chairman PTV Attaul Haq Qasmi and all officials involved in his appointment to voluntarily return Rs 270 million which were paid to him; otherwise, their cases will be sent to National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, heard a suo motu against the illegal appointment of famous playwright and columnist Attaul Haq Qasmi. Munawwar Iqbal Duggal, representing former Federal Minister for Information Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Pervez Rasheed, argued that the summary for the appointment and the terms and reference for his salary and perks and privileges were ultimately approved by former Prime Minister (Nawaz Sharif). The summary was routed through Finance Ministry and endorsed by the then premier.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan said when Qasim had no experience of administration then why he was appointed as head of a prestigious public company (PTV). The counsel replied that Qasmi served as chairman Al-Hamra Arts Council, Lahore, and was given Hilal-e-Imtiaz and also remained Pakistan ambassador to Norway.
The Chief Justice then remarked that they know during whose regime he got the medal and was made ambassador in Norway. The Attorney General for Pakistan highlighted that not only the appointment of Attaul Haq Qasmi was against the rules and was thus illegal and void, but he was also not entitled to receive the perks and privileges as a chairman of the company.
Furthermore, according to the report of the auditors appointed by this court, there are illegal and unauthorized expenses which have been approved either by Qasmi himself as a chairman or by the managing directors at various times, and in certain cases no approval had been given/ obtained at all.
Fawad Hassan Fawad, ex-Secretary to the Prime Minister, explaining his position conceded that for Qasmi to be appointed as chairman PTV, the summary should have been signed by the prime minister but as per earlier tradition and practice, the instant matter, summaries are being not only approved but also signed by the prime minister therefore, any earlier omission should be condoned. This issue shall be addressed in the main judgment.
He has stated that neither the ex-prime minister nor his secretariat had any role in the fixation of the salary of Attaul Haq Qasmi and that he (Fawad Hassan Fawad) has no idea about the unauthorized expenses incurred by Qasmi.
The court said that the notices have been issued to Muhammad Azam, the then Secretary of Information, Waqar Masood, the then Secretary of Finance and Ishaq Dar, the then Federal Finance Minister, as Qasmi's salary was approved by these persons in their official capacity, therefore the court will hear them on July 09, 2018.