NA panel lauds APP MD for uncovering multibillion-rupee scam
ISLAMABAD: National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting on Friday praised Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Managing Director Muhammad Asim Khich for exposing a multibillion-rupee financial scandal in the organisation.
Presided over by MNA Pullain Baloch, the committee paid glowing tribute to MD APP’s integrity and principled stance as a whistleblower, acknowledging his role in uncovering a deeply entrenched network of corruption.
However, the committee chairman Baloch underscored the need that the accountability process must not be unnecessarily prolonged and assured the committee’s full support in bringing to justice those responsible for looting public funds.
The Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ms Ambreen Jan, also commended the APP Managing Director for his integrity and decisive role in exposing the corruption scandal. She reaffirmed the ministry’s support for transparency and institutional accountability.
Panel member Kiran Dar reaffirmed the committee’s backing for the MD’s reform agenda aimed at enhancing institutional integrity. Another member Syed Amin ul Haq wanted to know whether the MD had received threats from elements linked to the corrupt mafia. He, along with other members, pledged unwavering support for Khichi’s efforts to uphold transparency and resist external pressure.
The forum unanimously reaffirmed its commitment to institutional accountability across all media-related departments and directed the APP Managing Director to take all necessary measures for the recovery of embezzled funds.
Earlier, the APP Managing Director briefed the meeting that an internal inquiry had uncovered embezzlement exceeding Rs1.24 billion in a Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) funded project.
He continued that additional irregularities were also detected in employees-related expenses, fake appointments, and the Provident Fund accounts, leading the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to register a case against 16 individuals, including former executive directors, managers, and clerical staff.
Moreover, he informed the committee that the organisation’s official website is generating annual revenue of Rs 2.4 million, reflecting its growing digital monetisation potential. He noted that the organisation’s website has been successfully migrated to a local server, resulting in an estimated annual saving of $9,000.
On the APP’s expanding digital footprint, he explained to the committee that the website has recorded 85 million impressions. Facebook has reached 10.3 million users, TikTok 10 million, X (formerly Twitter) 1.5 million, Instagram 319,000, and YouTube 137,000.
He continued that in terms of editorial output, APP maintains a consistent publishing pace, releasing between 350 to 400 news stories daily across its web platforms. He also said that the cabinet approval is awaited for signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on news exchange with 11 foreign news agencies.
The panel was also informed that the degree verification committee of the APP has nearly completed its scrutiny process. The MD made it clear that no individual found holding a fake or unverified academic credential will be spared and that strict disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with service rules.
He told the committee that submission of a life certificate has been made mandatory for pensioners every six months to ensure continued disbursement. Likewise, he noted additionally a demand of Rs 300 million has been placed before the Finance Division to incorporate pension increases announced in the last three federal budgets.
The MD said the management has outlined multiple strategic initiatives aimed at boosting revenue, with projections indicating potential annual earnings of up to Rs200 million. The Secretary Information informed the committee that gradual reforms are being introduced in Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) to improve operational efficiency.
Following the earlier approval of Rs11 billion to settle outstanding dues of PTV employees, the ministry is now set to request an additional Rs4.5 billion from the Finance Division to settle outstanding dues of PTV employees. She noted that the salaries of regular, contractual, and daily-wage PTV employees have been cleared till June 25.
On this occasion, a representative of the Press Information Commission (PIC) informed the committee that over the past eight years, the commission registered a total of 6,340 complaints and that of these, 5,435 have been disposed of, while 905 remain under process. Additionally, 268 appeals are currently pending in various high courts.
The forum was also told that the PIC regularly ensures the training of its designated focal persons stationed at each ministry to strengthen institutional coordination and improve complaint handling.
The Principal Information Officer (PIO), Mubashir Hassan, informed the committee that the August 14 celebrations were merged with the ‘Marka-e-Haq’ commemorations. He pointed out an anomaly in the official advertisement for the Independence Day and noted that the image of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was conspicuously missing.
The meeting was told the Oversight Implementation Committee of the OIC has concluded its inquiry and revealed that the approved content for the August 14 advertisement did not include the image of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The advertising agency acknowledged the oversight and admitted its mistake; however, the committee deemed the apology insufficient given the significance of the omission.
As regards the print media, the Principal information officer said outstanding dues 2024-25 of newspapers will be cleared by September this year. Among others, the meeting was attended by Sehar Kamran, Amin ul Haq, Asia Naz Tanoli, Rana Ansar, Kiran Dar, Shaheen, Salahuddin Junejo. and Mehtab Akbar Rashdi participated virtually via online platform, while Mehtab Akbar Rashdi attended-online
Source: The News