IHC Declares PTA Chairman’s Appointment Illegal, Orders Immediate Removal

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled that the appointment of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Maj-Gen (retd) Hafeezur Rehman was unlawful and ordered his removal from office.

The decision came during a hearing on a petition filed by citizen Usama Khilji, challenging the appointment. Justice Babar Sattar of the IHC accepted the plea and announced the reserved verdict.

In a detailed 99-page judgment, the court stated: “As the entire process of appointment of Respondent No. 4 as Member (Administration) and subsequently as Chairman PTA has been found to suffer from malice in law, being the product of an unconstitutional and illegal recruitment process, he shall cease to hold these appointments and shall immediately relinquish charge of both offices.”

The IHC directed that the senior-most serving PTA member take charge as acting chairman until the federal government appoints a permanent head through a lawful and transparent process. “The senior-most serving member of the PTA shall temporarily assume charge as chairman until the federal government appoints a regular chairman in accordance with Section 3 of the Telecom Act, read with the provisions of the PTA Appointment Rules, while ensuring an objective and transparent process,” the judgment noted.

The court also instructed the federal government to amend the PTA Appointment Rules, clearly outlining the qualifications, criteria, and procedure for appointing the chairman in compliance with the law.