The Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared on Monday the appointment of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major (retd) General Hafeezur Rehman illegal and ordered his immediate removal from office, Dawn reported on Wednesday.
The verdict, delivered by Justice Babar Sattar, came in response to a petition filed in 2023 by digital rights activist Usama Khilji, who had challenged the legality and transparency of the appointment process for PTA officials.
According to the court’s judgment, the federal government violated the PTA Appointment Rules by selecting a panel of three candidates for the position of Member (Administration), instead of recommending a single candidate as required under Rule 4(4). The government then appointed the candidate ranked lowest on the panel, offering no explanation for the choice—an action the court found to be arbitrary and in violation of Section 24A of the General Clauses Act, which requires public decisions to be just, fair, and reasonable.
The IHC further observed that after being appointed as Member (Administration) through this flawed process, Rehman was subsequently elevated to Chairman of the PTA without any transparent procedure or recorded justification, rendering his elevation equally unlawful.
Justice Sattar ruled that since the initial appointment was illegal, all subsequent decisions flowing from it—including Rehman’s chairmanship—were without legal standing.
The court directed Rehman to immediately vacate both positions, with the senior-most serving PTA member to assume charge as acting Chairman until the federal government appoints a regular chief in accordance with the law.
The judgment marks a significant step toward ensuring merit-based and transparent appointments in key regulatory institutions.
