News
Senators question new PTV appointments
ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage on Thursday asked the Information Ministry to ensure that Right to Information Bill was tabled in parliament as early as possible.
The lawmakers also directed the PTV administration to not pay for costly and substandard dramas. Chairman of the committee Senator Kamil Ali Agha said that the ministry should take steps so that the bill could be tabled in the Parliament after cabinet approval. The committee also discussed the new appointment of MD PTV and temporary appointments of different ranks in the PTV. The law maker also criticized the appointment of Dr Noman Niaz in PTV sports and said that his appoint was not on merit. The committee also shown displeasure on the seniority list of PTV officials and directed the newly appointed MD PTV Mohammad Malik to submit detail report on appointment and misappropriation during the last few months on next meeting.
Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the draft of the bill was lingering for the past ten years and it was high time to get it approved from the Parliament. He said that it was a private bill but the government has decided to adopt it.
The committee members opined that if there were any amendments proposed by any quarter they can be incorporated in the draft bill later, and the standing committees can again meet for their approval.
Secretary Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Dr Nazir Saeed informed that the Ministry has sent the draft of the bill to Cabinet Secretariat and it was hoped that it would be presented in next cabinet meeting for approval. He added the newly appointed MD PTV is a professional person and his appointment was made on merit. He added the new MD will overcome the problems faced by the PTV.
The meeting was attended by Senators Dr Saeeda Iqbal,Farhatullah Babar, Farha Aqil, Shirala Malik,Rubina Khalid,Syed Zafar Ali Shah, and Almas Perveen. Senior officials from Ministry of Information,Broadcasting and National Heritage were also present in the meeting.Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk