Six journalists to get positions in government, claims Khawar Ghumman

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 18 April 2022

Khawar Ghumman announced that six journalists are set to be appointed in various official roles within the federal coalition government. He expressed opposition to journalists holding such positions, advocating instead for professional politicians.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Khawar Ghumman (pictured), bureau chief of Dunya News Television, has claimed that nearly six journalists would be given official positions in the new federal coalition government.

In a tweet, he said a list of six journalists had been prepared for appointing them in various official positions. However, he added most of the six journalists were eyeing the state broadcaster Pakistan Television. “If you look around you will get a lot of surprises,” he said.

In the last PMLN government, Najam Sethi headed the Pakistan Cricket Board, Absar Alam was made head of PEMRA, and Atta ul Haq Qasmi was appointed chairman of PTV. He also served as envoy in Norway and Thailand in the second government of PMLN from 1997 to 1999.

Absar and Qasmi were removed from their positions in PEMRA and PTV through court decisions.
In another tweet, Ghumman said he was against the practice of journalists getting coveted positions.

“In the past senior journalists were appointed HCs and ambassadors at highly competitive stations such as London and Washington. I’m against journalists opting such positions. And I’m in favour of competent pol workers across parties.”

Photo: Twitter (@Ghummans)

KEY POINTS:

• Khawar Ghumman reveals six journalists to be appointed in government.
• Most journalists are interested in roles at Pakistan Television.
• Previous government appointments included notable journalists in high positions.
• Ghumman opposes journalists taking government roles, favoring political competence.
• Court decisions previously removed some journalists from their positions.