Marriyum Aurangzeb under scrutiny for advertising irregularities

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and senior minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb is under scrutiny for allegedly directing Rs150 million worth of advertisements to Channel 7 Pvt. Ltd. as part of the Ramazan Negahban Package. The transactions took place from March 15 to March 22 through an irregular procedure, as reported by The Scoop.

Sources familiar with the situation disclosed that the Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR) was unaware of these digital media advertisements, which Channel 7 funneled through multiple digital platforms without proper authorization.

A senior DGPR official revealed, 'We only learned about these ads when Channel 7's Group Chairman Jawad Humayun requested Rs150 million payment for the advertisements. However, we had to reject the payment as the ads did not follow the correct channels and lacked the necessary SPL number on the documentation, which is mandatory for such transactions.'

The incident sheds light on potential misuse of funds and lack of transparency in advertising practices within the political landscape of Punjab. It raises concerns about accountability and adherence to established protocols in government spending on media campaigns.

The allegations against Marriyum Aurangzeb and Channel 7 Pvt. Ltd. highlight the importance of maintaining integrity and compliance in financial transactions, especially in the realm of public relations and media engagements. The authorities must investigate the matter thoroughly to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future.