Petition Filed Against Appointment of Chairman and Members of PTA

The process of appointment and members of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has been further delayed due to the petition filed in Lahore High Court against the recent advertisements of the posts in question.

The petitioner, Mr. Amjad Farooq Alvi, Chief of Brian Telecommunication Limited filed a writ petition challenging the advertisement published in various local newspapers applications for appointment of Member (Finance), Member (Technical) and Member (Enforcement & Compliance) of the PTA. The writ petition was filled saying that the qualification and experience for the members contained in the advertisement was not in accordance with the qualifications and experience laid down in the PTA Chairman and Member (Appointment and Qualification) Rules, 2013. 

The Petitioner’s Counsel, Barrister Ch. Muhammad Umar informed the Court that the major changes have been made in the set criteria so that handpicked individuals could be hired for the posts. He also informed the court not only these unauthorized ammendments been approved by the Ministry of Law and Justice but have also been approved by the Prime Minister Division  prior to the publish in the offical gazetter.  

After hearing arguments of the petitioner’s counsel, Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh issued notices to respondents and passed orders stating that any appointment made pursuant to the aforesaid advertisement shall be subject to the final outcome of the writ petition.