A sessions court on Thursday sent TV anchor Dr Shahid Masood to Adiala jail on a judicial remand in the Pakistan Television (PTV) corruption case.
The anchorperson was produced before the court of duty judge Inamullah after his five-day remand ended on Thursday. During the hearing, the FIA said that Masood, who was appointed chairman of the state-run television channel during Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)tenure, had signed an agreement with a fake company to negotiate with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for grant of rights for coverage of cricket matches played in Pakistan. It claimed that Masood was involved in embezzlement of around Rs37 million from PTV as he negotiated with PCB for media rights and granted the contract to a fake company. The investigation agency requested for an extension in Masood’s physical remand, however the judge rejected the request and directed that he be sent to Adiala jail on judicial remand.
The court on Sept 14 had issued arrest warrants of the TV anchor facing charges of irregularities while serving as managing director the PTV. The court had also thrown out a petition by Masood seeking pre-arrest bail.
Published in Daily Times, November 30th 2018.
