Pak govt sacks PTV MD after 'Begging' dateline gaffe

Pakistan government has sacked the Managing Director of the 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 seconds 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 ordered an inquiry into the matter.

A notification issued by the ministry said, "the charge of Colonel (retd) Hassan Immad Mohammdi as PTV MD was withdrawn with immediate effect and till further orders.