ISLAMABAD: After a delay of more than 15 months, the government on Wednesday appointed the chairperson of the Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal.

Under the Telecom­munication Appellate Tribunal Act 2024, which was approved in September 2024, the tribunal should have three members, but the government appointed only two.

The notification issued by the Ministry of Law stated that the federal government is pleased to appoint Justice Muhammad Tariq Abbasi, former judge of Lahore High Court, as chairperson of the tribunal on a contract basis on salary, perks and privileges as were last drawn by him for a period of four years or attaining the age of 68 years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Imad Memon was appointed as Member Technical, while the Member Finance position remains vacant.

Welcoming the decision, Wahaj Siraj of the Telecom Operators Association said it was long-awaited.

He added that the tribunal’s functioning would help make speedy decisions in telecom-related litigation, which have otherwise been stuck in courts for years.

The main objective is to ensure faster resolution of telecom disputes, independent legal oversight of telecom regulation, and the streamlining of all cases as appeals against Pakistan Teleco­m­munication Authority decisions are pending in various courts across the country.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2026