The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday rejected TV anchorperson Dr Shahid Masood’s bail plea in Pakistan Television (PTV) corruption case.
The plea was rejected by IHC’s Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiani. Masood is accused of embezzling Rs37 million during his tenure as the PTV’s managing director. He is also accused of allotting contracts to an illegal company.
On Thursday, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officer Kashif Awan had apprised the court that so far no evidence could be found to substantiate the exchange of funds. He also told the court that there was no statement recorded by the co-accused.
According to the FIA investigation, Masood paid the company a sum of over Rs3 million at the time of the agreement. The entity was registered in Lahore to provide catering services.
In November, a local court sent Masood on a five-day judicial remand to Adiala Jail. On November 23, the TV anchor was arrested from the IHC premises after his pre-arrest bail petition was dismissed.
Last month, Masood’s counsel Advocate Shah Khawar had told the court that his client’s name was not included in the FIR of the case. He also said that he signed the documents prepared by the legal advisor while the inquiry committee declared Masood responsible for an agreement with the company, while he had not been included in the inquiry and had resigned.
Published in Daily Times, December 22nd 2018.
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