ISLAMABAD: Despite restraining orders from the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the information ministry has reportedly sought to appoint a Grade 18 officer as managing director of the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) against the post of Grade 21.

This was stated by MNA Murad Saeed on Wednesday at the meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting and National Heritage.

Murad Saeed from the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf said the government should ensure appointments on merit, besides respecting the court orders.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Saeed said the information ministry had sent a summery to the prime minister seeking appointment of a BPS 18 officer of the news agency Mr Qamarullah Chaudhry as its MD.

An official of the APP, requesting not to be identified said the controversy started just after the advertisement published in different newspapers in January.

Two senior officers of APP including executive director Muhammad Naeem Chaudhary moved Islamabad High Court and obtained a stay order against the process because they were stopped to participate in the interview for being overage, he said.

The candidate for the post of MD, Qamarullah Chaudhry, while talking to Dawn said that persons who had gone to the court had also applied for the post of MD but could not find a place even in the shortlist because the government wanted to appoint a young person who could deliver.

Replying to a question, Mr Chaudhary admitted that the Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar was his cousin but denied enjoying his support for grabbing the post.

Secretary Ministry of Information, Broadcasting Dr Nazir Saeed while talking to Dawn confirmed that the summery to appoint Mr Chaudhry has been sent to the prime minister.

“I expect that new MD will be nominated within a few days but I have clearly told Mr Chaudhry that if he will be nominated as MD APP, he will have to resign from his seat because MP Scale positions are not for the government officers,” he said.While replying to a question, Dr Nazir Saeed said that because of objection of the Establishment Division contract for the post of MD will be awarded for only two years.

“I know matter is also in the court so court orders will also be considered before giving the charge of the post of MD to any person,” he said.