Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid Tuesday apprised the Senate that legal procedure has been followed for the appointment of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Chairman.
During the question-hour, he said the ministry had advertised the post in national newspapers, conducted interviews and short-listed three candidates.
For the time being, he said, Executive Member of PEMRA Kamal Uddin Tipu was assigned the acting charge of the chairman till the appointment of a regular one.
He said former PEMRA Chairman Chaudhry Rasheed Ahmed was terminated by the government and he had challenged his termination in the court.
“The government had to appoint an acting chairman as the post was lying vacant after termination the of Chaudhry Rasheed Ahmed,” he said.
Pertinently, Pervaiz Rashid said, the appointment of acting chairman was in accordance with the principles laid down by the Supreme Court vide its orders dated 17.9.2012.
“It has been pointed out to us that there is no permanent Chairman of PEMRA and the incumbent is acting chairman for the last two years.
Relevant provision of PEMRA i.e. Section 6 of the PEMRA, does not contain any such provision, however, it is understandable that temporarily for a shortest period acting chairman can be appointed to find a suitable person to be appointed as permanent chairman,” he said reproducing the court’s excerpt.