Chowrangi

It is said that every person has a price. We found that to be true when Dr. Shahid Masood, lately host of GEO TV’s Mairay Mutabiq and (in)famous for his criticism of government and political parties, made Managing Director of state-owned PTV.

A recent notification by the Establishment Division disclosed the package and remunerations of the newly-appointed chairman-cum-managing director of Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV).

The letter of the Establishment Division bearing No 1/64/2008-E-6, dated June 30, 2008, says that besides the fixed remuneration of the new chairman PTV, any other “financial benefits” are negotiable between Dr. Shahid Masood and “competent authority” at some later stage.

According to the letter, Dr. Shahid Masood has agreed to receive same remuneration package which was given to former MD PTV Yousuf Baig Mirza. The contract of Dr Shahid Masood will be for a period of five years which could be terminated by either side on a six-month notice.

The salary and perks goes as:

• Salary: Rs. 700,000 per month (with annual raise of Rs. 50,000)
• House Rent: Rs. 150,000 per month
• Utility Allowances: Rs. 25,000 per month
• Free mobile phone, two residence telephones and one fax
• Business class tickets for national and international travels.
• Recreational allowance, according to the situation.

He will be paid Rs 50,000 extra to that of the package of the previous MD as he would also hold the office of the PTV chairman.

However, senior PTV officials see the point of “extra financial benefits to be negotiated later” with concern. The officials maintained that it would be totally against the rules of the corporation and illegal to offer somebody any percentage of the income from any programme aired on the PTV.

Dr Shahid Masood was appointed as the PTV chairman through the Establishment Division letter No 1/64/2008-E-6, dated May 31, 2008, and was given the additional charge of the MD through the letter No 1/64/2008-E-6, dated June 21, 2008.

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