Obliging Special Daughters: Wattoo says his daughter selected on merit

[LRE]

Pemra chairman says he used his discretionary powers

Saturday, June 13, 2009
By Muhammad Ahmad Noorani

ISLAMABAD: Following the Farah Dogar example and in continuation of obliging “special daughters” of the country, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (Pemra) has appointed on contract yet another special daughter in a Grade-18 post for which she will appear in a qualifying test after a few days.

The Pemra Chairman has appointed Ayesha Bilal Virk, daughter of Minister for Industries and Production Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo as deputy general manager (DGM) in Lahore on Tuesday, apparently after bending some rules.

According to regulations framed under the Pemra ordinance, each and every position, either regular or contractual, must be advertised and final appointment will be made after scrutiny as per given and advertised conditions. Same rule is applied for the appointment of consultants.

Wattoo, while talking to The News and giving his version, said that his daughter Ayesha was the most intelligent among all his siblings. He said that she has a master’s degree in development journalism from Punjab University, Lahore. He said that the post in question was properly advertised and his daughter was the best among all the candidates and thus was selected and appointed.

However, Pemra Chairman Mushtaq Malik, when approached by The News, gave a different version which is in conflict with Wattoo’s statement. He admitted that Ayesha was appointed without any advertisement. He claimed that he has discretionary powers to appoint any person as officer on contract basis.

When asked to elaborate further, Mushtaq Malik said that Pemra had advertised some positions, including this DGM and AGM, and test for these posts will be held after a few days. When asked that whether he was asked or approached by any government authority for this appointment, he said: “No, no one approached me rather I have made this appointment by using my discretionary powers.”


http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=182751