ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday filed an application seeking suspension of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) decision restoring Chaudhry Rashid Ahmed as chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra). 

The application was filed by additional attorney general Afnan Karim Kundi in which he appealed to the court to stop the execution of the decision till the intra court appeal is filed before the division bench of the IHC.  

IHC Justice Noorul Haq N. Qureshi heard preliminary arguments and issued notices to Chaudhry Rashid and others and adjourned the hearing till Wednesday.

Read: Islamabad High Court reinstates Pemra chairman

Earlier on May 25, IHC restored Chaudry Rashid after accepting his petition seeking his reinstatement.

The court observed that the time period given to prove him innocent was not sufficient adding that the accused Pemra chairman was not given access to certain documents which he needed to prove his innocence.

Chaudhry Rashid, former information and broadcasting secretary, was appointed as chairman Pemra by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government on Jan 26, 2013.

On Dec 15, 2013, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government terminated his contract and appointed Tehsin Ali Khan as acting chairman.

The IHC, however, reinstated Rashid as it observed that ‘due process’ was not adopted for his termination from the service.

The government then constituted a committee which investigated the allegations of ‘misconduct’ against Chaudhry Rashid.

President Mamnoon Hussain on April 17 endorsing the recommendations of the committee again dismissed Mr Rashid.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2015

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