EX-PTV chief calls former minister Marriyum a ‘liar’
ISLAMABAD: Former chairman of the state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) Ata-ul Haq Qasmi has lashed out at Marriyum Aurangzeb, who served as information minister in the last government, for cases against him that eventually forced him to step down.
He told a TV channel said that the information ministry used to frequently meddle in the affairs of the PTV while he wanted to make the channel function independently as per the wishes of the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The renowned author added that interference by the ministry forced him to resign a year before his contract was to end. A case was lodged against him merely after 20 days after he quit the PTV, he said.
“Aurangzeb is a liar and is honest with no one. She made a fake case against me,” Qasmi alleged.
He lamented when nothing was found against him, a case was lodged regarding the budget of a TV show he introduced. He also blamed some “behind-the-scenes” people involved in mudslinging against him, and said he informed Sharif about them in his resignation.
He also claimed that certain people wanted to set Sharif up but former information minister Pervaiz Rasheed took the blame upon himself and saved the ex-premier.
“I will go to jail if my appeal [in court] is rejected. You can send a 78-year-old person to jail if you want,” he said.
The Supreme Court has declared Qasmi’s appointment and the perks granted to him as illegal and ordered to pay them back to the government.
Reacting to Qasimi’s claims, Aurangzeb said she respects him and his allegations were not true.