- Naeem Bokhari says he was joking when he spoke about not permitting Opposition any airtime on PTV
- Opposition can be allowed to current their level of opinion on PTV
- If something fallacious occurs at PTV, I’m accountable for it, says Bokhari
ISLAMABAD: PTV Chairman Naeem Bokhari took a U-turn on his earlier assertion regarding the state-run channel not giving protection to the Opposition, including that he was solely joking when he made the feedback earlier.
The PTV chairman appeared earlier than the Nationwide Assemblys Committee on Info and Broadcasting on Tuesday. PPP MNA and a member of the committee, Nafisa Shah requested Bokhari about his earlier assertion relating to the Opposition.
“Will you only allow government representatives to convey their point of view on the state-run TV? Will you not allow the Opposition to present their opinion on PTV?” she requested him.
“I was joking when I spoke about not inviting Opposition leaders. The Opposition will be given the opportunity to share their perspective on PTV,” he replied.
The PTV chairman spoke in regards to the monotonous nature of present affairs reveals today on TV. “All of you are politicians,” he mentioned, addressing the members of the committee. “You can see from 7-11pm the same types of politicians appearing on all the private news channels. Are we giving anything new to the public?”
Bokhari mentioned that he had been appointed an honorary chairman of the PTV for six months and was not taking any perks or perhaps a wage for his companies.
“We immediately removed all staff members of the PTV who were receiving huge salaries,” he mentioned, talking in regards to the measures taken to set the state-run TV on the appropriate course. “We even removed the Managing Director of the PTV who was being paid more than Rs2.1mn per month,” he added.
Bokhari mentioned that no anchor within the PTV can be paid greater than Rs300,000 from henceforth, including that he had cancelled all recruitments that had not been made on benefit.
“Whatever happens wrong in PTV, I am answerable for it,” he advised the committee.
Bokhari mentioned that there have been sure staff of the PTV who have been twin nationals. “We are carrying out a probe, if their fraud is proven, I will move the FIA or NAB myself,” mentioned the PTV chairman.
Bokhari had mentioned a few months in the past that the state tv will solely characterize the federal government, including that it was “not like any other channel”.
In a video clip that was extensively shared on the web, Bokhari was interacting with reporters whereas on his method to someplace. One of many reporters requested him whether or not the federal government and the Opposition will get “equal time” on PTV.
“Absolutely not,” he had mentioned. “This is the PTV, not any other channel. This is state television which represents the government.”
“Only government?” the reporter had requested him.
“Only government,” the PTV chairman had confirmed earlier than the video cuts quick.