ISLAMABAD, Aug 4: The issue of the appointment of PTV Chairman Dr Shahid Masood echoed in the Senate here on Monday when a member of the ruling coalition criticised the decision of the government to appoint the new chief of the state-run television on high perks and privileges.

Speaking on a point of order, Senator Sadia Abbasi of the Pakistan Muslim League-N drew the attention of the upper house towards a news report that the new PTV chief had been appointed on high salary package.

“Pakistan is a poor country and it cannot afford to have head of the state-run television on such a high salary package,” the senator said. She said that according to the reports, the PTV chief was getting salary between Rs700, 000 to Rs800, 000 per month. The PML-N senator asked Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro to refer the matter to the concerned committee so that it could discuss the issue threadbare. No one from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) defended the government’s decision to appoint Dr Masood as the PTV chairman.

The Senate chairman asked Ms Abbasi not to raise the issue through a point of order and bring the issue through other means under the rules and procedures of the house. The senator did not press for her demand. —Staff Reporter