Govt sacks PTV MD after ‘Begging’ dateline gaffe

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan government has sacked the Managing Direct of Pakistan Television (PTV) after the state-run news channel ran ‘Begging” dateline instead of Beijing” on screen during the live broadcast of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s speech at the central party school of the ruling communist party of China in Beijing early this week.

During Khan’s speech on Sunday, PTV had written ‘Begging’ instead of ‘Beijing’ in the top left corner of the screen. The word remained on screen for 20 second and was then changed.

The gaffe became particularly ironic since khan was in China to secure a package from Beijing to try and stall the impending economic crisis Pakistan is facing.

PTV later regretted the mistake and apologised. Information and broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry order an inquiry into the matter.

A notification issued by the minister says, “the charge of Colonel (Retd) Hassan Immad Mohammadi as PTV MD was withdrawn with immediate effect and till further orders.”