(Press release)
It has come to the attention of the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) that a television channel BOL News (owned by BOL Media Group) is running a malicious, abusive, and defamatory campaign against STZA and its officers.
STZA rejects all claims of impropriety made by BOL News regarding STZA on its numerous platforms including but not limited to, broadcast television, digital and social media. These accusations are entirely false, untrue, and incorrect, and are outrightly denied by STZA.
A willful campaign is being run by BOL News with a malafide intent to blackmail and cause damage to STZA and its officers and to influence the process of law relating to certain sub-judice matters in the Sindh High Court (SHC).
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STZA reaffirms its commitment to developing the technology sector of Pakistan by enabling inclusive socio-economic development through knowledge and technology-driven growth.
STZA also reserves the right to take all necessary legal actions against BOL News.
Allegations against STZA
The media company in question has made serious allegations against STZA. In an article, it accused STZA of illegally appointing Chairman Amer Ahmed Hashmi and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) Masroor Ahmed Qureshi.
Titled “STZA’s mega scandal: Chairman Amer Hashmi appointed illegally”, the article said STZA appointed Amer Hashmi as the Chairman “without following the due process”.
“In mid-December 2020, Amer Ahmed Hashmi’s as the chairman STZA was announced without following the due process,” the article said.
“Similarly, Masroor Ahmed Qureshi was appointed the COO in violation of the rules and requirements for the position,” the article added. It also named other STZA officers and also accused them of being appointed illegally.
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Furthermore, the article claimed that the “illegal and unlawful appointment” was covered up by publishing a vacancy advertisement in local newspapers days later.
In another article, the media company claimed that “the errant appointments caused damage worth billions of rupees to the national exchequer”.
However, STZA has rejected the defaming allegations and will take strict action against the malicious campaign.