Pak TV CMD resigns to take up new assignment "Special Assistant to PM"

Islamabad, Nov 4 : Amid repeated complaints from Pakistan Information and Broadcasting Minister Sherry Rehman that Pakistan Television (PTV) Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Dr Shahid Masood was not following her official orders, the top PTV man is learnt to have tendered his resignation to take up a new job as "Special Assistant" to Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

A statement issued from the Pakistan PM House said that Gilani had accepted Masood's resignation and appointed him as his special assistant with the status of a minister of state with immediate effect, reported the Daily Times.

The Cabinet Division later issued a notification in this regard.

Tensions between Masood and Sherry Rehman were running high, with the minister repeatedly complaining about the former chairman's defiance of official orders. It is learnt that the Presidency had asked Masood to tender his resignation a couple of days back.

Official sources said Information Secretary Ashfaq Gondal would assume the charge as PTV chairman, in accordance with past practice.

Earlier, newspapers had reported that the Information Ministry was apprehensive of Masood's decision to increase salaries and perks at a time of financial crunch, saying it had made the network dependent on borrowings and mortgages.

The ministry had also been dissatisfied by the corporation's audit under the chairmanship of Masood, which differed sharply from a report by his predecessor Yousuf Baig Mirza.

Masood's report showed PTV in poor financial and operational situation and beset by massive irregularities. But, Mirza's report had claimed a profit of Rs 240 million "after making all possible provisions for expenses". The Finance Department had confirmed the figure.

ANI