PEMRA directed to recover Rs36.75m dues from Absar Alam

The federal government through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to recover dues from its ex-chairman Absar Alam.

In a letter dated January 16, 2020, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed the PEMRA chairman to recover the dues from the former chairman of the regulatory body.

“The undersigned is directed to refer to the subject mentioned above. The matter of recovery of dues from Absar Alam, Pemra ex-chairman has been taken up with relevant quarters. After consultation with all concerned, this ministry is of the view that PEMRA should file a recovery suit in the court of law. You are requested to take necessary action in this regard under intimation to the ministry,” the letter says.

It was earlier in October 2019, when the federal government asked Absar Alam to return the amount he received in the form of salary and other perks and privileges.

As per media reports, PEMRA’s ex-chairman had received Rs36.75 million net salary in two years whereas the regulatory body paid Rs13.76 million tax on his salary.

Hence, the gross salary paid to the regulatory authority’s former chairman was Rs50.42 million.