ISLAMABAD: The first-ever marathon telephonic interaction of Prime Minister Imran Khan with the nation on Monday was recorded with utmost care as the callers were given access to the premier for putting up their questions after proper verification, sources privy to the development told Dawn.

Yousaf Baig Mirza, who supervised the transmission, said the programme was recorded at 5:30pm and was aired as per the scheduled time.

The programme ‘Aap ka Wazir-i-Azam Aap kay Saath’ was the brainchild of Mr Mirza, a former managing director of state-run Pakistan Television.

In 1998, Mr Mirza had introduced a similar programme for then prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The recording on Monday was done at the PM House a couple of hours before the programme went on air, the sources said.

The sources said that a PTV crew comprising Managing Director Amir Manzoor, Director News and Current Affairs Rashid Baig and Head of Current Affairs Saleem Chaudhry visited the PM House a day before the programme and made arrangements for the PM’s telephonic interaction.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2021