The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the government to appoint a chairman and other members of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) within 10 days before proceeding with the auction of 3G Technology, SANA reported.
Three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry conducted hearing of the case regarding auction of 3G technology license here on Monday. The government was directed that the orders of the court be implemented and compliance report be submitted in court on 16th of September.
The Court ordered that PTA should be made active and productive by appointing honest officials while keeping in view the rules and regulations of the institution.
The petitioner’s counsel Ali Raza informed the court that Lahore High Court has already issued an interim order in this case, issuing a direction to the PTA Chairman for transparent appointments on merit through proper advertisement of the posts.
Upon this, the Chief Justice remarked that the institution was facing loss of billion of rupees due to its inactivity and criminal negligence. He said that the auction of 3 G technology was necessary to attract investment in the country.
He contended that transparent auction was possible only when the PTA performed on sound footings. Deputy Attorney General informed the court that the matter of appointments was pending with Lahore High Court.
Justice Shaikh Azmat Saeed said that appointments of Chairman and PTA members must be obvious.
“The appointments should be made before proceeding with the 3G license auction,” said the chief justice.
The chief justice said that there is no existence of an organization that can control grey traffic worth billions.
During the hearing Justice Jawwad S Khawaja also questioned the government’s intention of having a regulatory authority for cellular companies in Pakistan.
Deputy Attorney General presented excuse that the government was not making appointments as the matter was under hearing in Lahore High Court and the government feared that the higher court might declared the appointments null and void.
Justice Shaikh Azmat Saeed said that the government should not fear if the appointments are made according to rules and regulations.
Additional Attorney General said that the appointments of the members would be made in two weeks.
Upon this, Chief justice questioned why this process could not be completed in 10 days. Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja said that the government had put the Rs62billion of USF in the national exchequer.
Chief Justice lamented the rise in petrol prices, saying that people were screaming and the government was wasting money from the national exchequer.
what happened to the corruption of your son?
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