Begging in Beijing? Pakistan sacks state TV chief after broadcast gaffe

[GHALIB]

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan has removed the acting chief of state-run television after a caption read “Begging” instead “Beijing” during a broadcast of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to China, which has promised economic aid to the impoverished South Asian country.

Khan was in Beijing seeking financial aid to help end a spiraling balance of payments crisis after securing $6 billion in support from Saudi Arabia and before Pakistan sat down to talks with the IMF.

An official Ministry of Information order seen by Reuters said the ministry had withdrawn the services of Hasan Immad Mohammadi, who had served as acting managing director of Pakistan Television for just a matter of weeks.


PTV apologized after “Begging” ran on screens for 20-25 seconds on Monday while Khan was making a speech, kicking off a debate on social media as to whether the misspelling was deliberate.

Khan has criticized Pakistan’s many international bailouts and decried previous leaders as roaming the world with a begging bowl.

An information ministry spokesman said the misspelling had nothing to do with Mohammadi’s removal, saying it was a “routine affair”.

Finance Minister Asad Umar said on Tuesday that “Pakistan’s immediate balance of payment crisis is over”, adding that the combined Saudi support plus as-yet-unspecified aid promised by China had shored up foreign currency reserves.

Umar spoke a day before the arrival on Wednesday of an IMF team for a two-week visit to Islamabad to negotiate Pakistan’s request for a 13th IMF bailout since the 1980s.

He has previously said the country needs $12 billion in immediate relief.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-tv-chief-after-broadcast-gaffe-idUSKCN1NC1Q7

https://twitter.com/x/status/1060437034924425216

@Maarkhoor @CIS-TRANS @Canuck786 @Jinn Baba @BATMAN @SmartGeek @volatile @Tameem @xyxmt @Proudpakistaniguy

That was a serious miss.

 

[koolio]

Especially working for a major TV station, Maryam has probably paid him handsome amount of money, problem for PTI too many black sheeps of status quo are still lurking in Government jobs, hence you will see more of these incidents in future.

 

[RoadRunner401]

You couldn't make this stuff up even if you tried
Anyway, I feel bad if this was an honest mistake.

I doubt it was an honest mistake because usually there is a delay of some seconds plus it ran for additional 25 seconds, Ik will have to perform a clean sweep in all Crown Corporations because they are full of political appointee.
and most likely will cause trouble for government instead of performing their duties they will be performing political stunts.

 

[Wa Muhammada]

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan has removed the acting chief of state-run television after a caption read “Begging” instead “Beijing” during a broadcast of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to China, which has promised economic aid to the impoverished South Asian country.

Khan was in Beijing seeking financial aid to help end a spiraling balance of payments crisis after securing $6 billion in support from Saudi Arabia and before Pakistan sat down to talks with the IMF.

An official Ministry of Information order seen by Reuters said the ministry had withdrawn the services of Hasan Immad Mohammadi, who had served as acting managing director of Pakistan Television for just a matter of weeks.


PTV apologized after “Begging” ran on screens for 20-25 seconds on Monday while Khan was making a speech, kicking off a debate on social media as to whether the misspelling was deliberate.

Khan has criticized Pakistan’s many international bailouts and decried previous leaders as roaming the world with a begging bowl.

An information ministry spokesman said the misspelling had nothing to do with Mohammadi’s removal, saying it was a “routine affair”.

Finance Minister Asad Umar said on Tuesday that “Pakistan’s immediate balance of payment crisis is over”, adding that the combined Saudi support plus as-yet-unspecified aid promised by China had shored up foreign currency reserves.

Umar spoke a day before the arrival on Wednesday of an IMF team for a two-week visit to Islamabad to negotiate Pakistan’s request for a 13th IMF bailout since the 1980s.

He has previously said the country needs $12 billion in immediate relief.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-tv-chief-after-broadcast-gaffe-idUSKCN1NC1Q7

https://twitter.com/x/status/1060437034924425216

@Maarkhoor @CIS-TRANS @Canuck786 @Jinn Baba @BATMAN @SmartGeek @volatile @Tameem @xyxmt @Proudpakistaniguy

Regardless of party politics, the guy should be jailed for a year as a lesson. He hasn’t just embarrassed PTI, he has hurt Pakistan’s image globally.

 

[VCheng]

Regardless of party politics, the guy should be jailed for a year as a lesson. He hasn’t just embarrassed PTI, he has hurt Pakistan’s image globally.

What law was violated deserving one year in jail?

 

[xyxmt]

I think this was a parting gift from Noon League appointed PTV officials.
Noon got the laughs , Indians got the laughs

job done

An official Ministry of Information order seen by Reuters said the ministry had withdrawn the services of Hasan Immad Mohammadi, who had served as acting managing director of Pakistan Television for just a matter of weeks.

but yes he did it intentionally this cannot be a mistake

 

[Asian.Century]

Such silly mistakes or intentional should not happen with state run PTV. This is pathetic. Why put Pakistan image at cost. This Mohammadi should be made example out of making such stupid techincal problems.

 

[Wa Muhammada]

What law was violated deserving one year in jail?

If this was China/Russia...he’d probably be sent to a gulag.

It’s like a naughty school kid...you embarrass him infront of his class

 

[VCheng]

If this was China/Russia...he’d probably be sent to a gulag.

It’s like a naughty school kid...you embarrass him infront of his class

So under what law does causing embarrassment deserve a year in jail without a court conviction in Pakistan?

 

[Wa Muhammada]

So under what law does causing embarrassment deserve a year in jail without a court conviction in Pakistan?

I’m old school...I believe ppl like these and the corrupt ppl who put them there in The first place should be thrown into a dungeon and given regular beatings and made to work in work camps because these ppl have looted the country and deserve everything which comes their way. You may find this harsh but I believe this is the only way Pakistan will go on the straight and narrow. Gen. Mushy whatever his flaws/character, he missed a gr8 opportunity to get rid of these leeches

So under what law does causing embarrassment deserve a year in jail without a court conviction in Pakistan?

I’m old school...I believe ppl like these and the corrupt ppl who put them there in The first place should be thrown into a dungeon and given regular beatings and made to work in work camps because these ppl have looted the country and deserve everything which comes their way. You may find this harsh but I believe this is the only way Pakistan will go on the straight and narrow. Gen. Mushy whatever his flaws/character, he missed a gr8 opportunity to get rid of these leeches

 

[VCheng]

I’m old school...I believe ppl like these and the corrupt ppl who put them there in The first place should be thrown into a dungeon and given regular beatings and made to work in work camps because these ppl have looted the country and deserve everything which comes their way. You may find this harsh but I believe this is the only way Pakistan will go on the straight and narrow. Gen. Mushy whatever his flaws/character, he missed a gr8 opportunity to get rid of these leeches

That is a classic foundation for anarchy, and a mistake of the highest order. But, you are free to believe as you wish.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

I think this was a parting gift from Noon League appointed PTV officials.
Noon got the laughs , Indians got the laughs

job done

I agree. This was intended and not a gaffe. You can't mistake Beijing for Begging.

 

[VCheng]

I think this was a parting gift from Noon League appointed PTV officials.
Noon got the laughs , Indians got the laughs

job done

It does not matter. If IK can stabilize the economy, no matter how, he will be the one laughing all the way to success in the next elections.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

It does not matter. If IK can stabilize the economy, no matter how, he will be the one laughing all the way to success in the next elections.

Not sure about that. If he can fry Asia Bibi the day before the eletions he might stand greater chance of a landslide victory ...

 

[VCheng]

Not sure about that. If he can fry Asia Bibi the day before the eletions he might stand greater chance of a landslide victory ...

It is his choice, after all.