Islamabad:
The Superior Court of Islamabad (IHC) declared on Tuesday the appointment of Hafeezur Rehman as president of the Telecommunications Authority of Pakistan (PTA) and ordered the authorities to immediately withdraw him from the office.
The ruling occurred after the court accepted a request that defies the appointment of Rehman, presented by the Digital Rights activist Usama Khilji through the lawyer Asad Ladha.
Judge Babar Sattar, who heard the case, had reserved his trial at a previous hearing after looking for written arguments of the respondents. The detailed verdict covers 99 pages.
The court said the appointment was not legally valid and was ordered that a member of the Senior PTA be appointed interim president until a permanent and legal appointment is made. Later, Rehman challenged IHC’s decision.
According to Express News, the appeal was presented under the 1972 Ordinance. The appellant, who currently occupies the position of president of the PTA, argued that he was first appointed as a member (administration) on May 24, 2023, and was promoted one day later to the position of president.
In his request, Rehman said he has been doing his duties in accordance with laws and regulations “and said the appeal was aimed at establishing the legality of his appointment.
The appeal indicated that Judge Sattar, of the IHC, had pronounced the reserved sentence, declaring his illegal appointment. Rehman also asked the court to fix his appeal for an urgent hearing.
