News Desk |
Approving anchorperson Dr. Shahid Masood’s bail plea, the Supreme Court on Monday ordered his release on bail in the case pertaining to embezzlement of Rs 37 million from PTV. A two-judge bench headed by Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik ordered Masood’s release against bail bonds amounting to Rs 500,000.
During the hearing, the court observed that three other suspects in the case were already granted bail by a trial court. “The attorney general has said the interim challan does not include Masood’s name nor is his name mentioned in the FIR lodged on December 15, 2015. Neither Masood nor his family can be linked to the companies,” the bench added.
A two-judge bench headed by Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik ordered Masood’s release against bail bonds amounting to Rs 500,000.
Dr. Masood bail appeal stated that he was merely a victim of the political revenge. “He is a blunt analyst and critic; the governmental institutions are targeting him just for nothing”. He further blamed FIA for harassing him. He said that FIA could not produce even a single proof against him and was only targeting him for criticizing governmental policies.
Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik showed his displeasure to the FIA Investigation Officer who came to the court without uniform. On asking, he explained that when the court summoned him, he was going to the office. On this, Justice Malik remarked, “Do you go to the office wearing these clothes?” the IO couldn’t produce a reply on this.
Read more: Why has FIA arrested Dr. Shahid Masood?
Even the IO was unable to tell the court when the accused Mr. Masood was appointed as MD of PTV. According to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Dr. Masood during his tenure as managing director and chairman of PTV was involved in the embezzlement of Rs37 million in acquiring Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) media rights in 2008.
The agreement was allegedly carried out with a fake company and funds were also released, causing the loss of millions of dollars to PTV as the state-run television channel failed to acquire PCB media rights from 2008 to 2013. On Nov 23, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had arrested Masood from the premises of the Islamabad High Court after the court rejected his bail plea and he was shifted to Adiala jail on judicial remand.