ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC), on Tuesday, sent home Chaudhry Rashid Ahmed, paving the way for the government to appoint a new head of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra).

A two-member division bench, consisting of Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui and Justice Athar Minallah, issued a 28-page verdict after hearing arguments from the federal government, as well as Chaudhry Rashid’s counsel before setting aside an earlier single bench order that reinstated him as Pemra chief.

The court directed the government that it should complete the process for the appointment of a new chairman, in light of a Supreme Court order. On Aug 19, the apex court had directed the government to appoint a new Pemra chairman within 30 days.

At least 40 candidates have reportedly been interviewed for the slot of Pemra chairman, including two federal secretaries, a serving police chief, a former head of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and a TV show host.

During the course of the hearing, Additional Attorney General (AAG) Afnan Karim Kundi claimed that Chaudhry Rashid’s appointment was in violation of certain rules. Citing a report prepared by the interior secretary, the AAG stated that the PM was not informed of certain facts before Chaudhry Rashid was appointed.

The AAG explained that some paragraphs were missing from the summary moved for Mr Rashid’s appointment. However, he said, the government had already initiated the process for the appointment of a new chairman and Chaudhry Rashid could apply for the position.

But Mr Rashid’s counsel, Barrister Wasim Sajjad, argued that his client was not aware of any missing paragraphs since the Establishment Division was the custodian of all such correspondence.

He requested the court to direct the AAG to provide his client with a copy of the report prepared by the interior secretary.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play