ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain has dismissed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) chairman Chaudhry Rashid Ahmed while Wapda chief Syed Raghib Abbas Shah was replaced with Zafar Mehmood by the prime minister, DawnNews reported on Thursday.

According to sources in the President House, Chaudhry Rashid Ahmed was removed as per the procedures chalked out by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The high court had suspended the sacking of Ahmed in December last year.

The former information and broadcasting secretary, was appointed as chairman of Pemra for four years by the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government on Jan 26, 2013.

On Dec 15, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had terminated his contract and appointed Tehsin Ali Khan, an executive member of the authority, as acting chairman.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appointed former secretary water and power Zafar Mehmood as the new water and power development authority (Wapda) chairman.

The prime minister had announced to dismiss Raghib Abbas in July last year saying he was one of those responsible for the power crisis in the country.

Opinion

Editorial

Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...
Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...