March 25, 2003	Tuesday	Muharram 21, 1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

ISLAMABAD, March 24: Renowned film producer Samina Pirzada and columnist-cum TV anchorperson Mohammad Malick are likely to be considered for the slot of managing director of Pakistan Television (PTV), an informed source told Dawn.

The government had sacked the former MD, Yousaf Baig Mirza, for unsatisfactory performance, financial misappropriation and his inability to recover outstanding dues from private production companies.

In his place, deputy managing director Akhtar Waqar Azeem was appointed as the MD on temporary basis.

When Mr Malick was asked to comment on his name being mentioned as the next MD, he neither denied nor conceded the news, and said the PTV affairs were being handled professionally by a competent person like Akhtar Waqar Azim.

The source also said Yousaf Baig Mirza, whose contract had been extended by the government on December 31 last year, had recently met the prime minister, seeking permission to tender his resignation, instead of being dismissed from the job.

The source said his request had been accepted by the prime minister. He said the office of the former MD was sealed by the authorities, and Mr Mirza was not allowed to enter his office when he came, not knowing that his contract had been terminated.

The PTV is reportedly facing severe financial crisis due to non-payment of outstanding dues worth millions of rupees by different private production companies.