Court restrains chairman PEMRA from working

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 11 June 2015

The Islamabad High Court has halted the activities of Pemra chairman Chaudhry Rashid following an intra-court appeal. This decision comes after allegations of violations regarding his civil service tenure.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has restrained chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Chaudhry Rashid (pictured) from working following the federation’s intra-court appeal. A divisional bench of the court comprising Justice Shaukat Aziz Saddiqui and Justice Athar Minallah heard the appeal and stopped Rashid from working. Additional Attorney General Afnan Karim Kundi contended before the court that Rashid had been serving in civil services for three months despite being appointed as PEMRA chairman, in violation of rules and regulations. Despite two show-cause notices, Rashid neither appeared before the enquiry committee, nor submitted a written reply, he said, praying the court to stop him from working until the case's final decision. Rashid’s counsel, however, said that Establishment Division had sent a summary containing names for the post of PEMRA chairman and his client had no link with it. He said that when his client received the show-cause notice, he left the charge as information and broadcasting secretary. Interestingly, the court earlier reinstated Rashid as chairman PEMRA on May 25 by completely rejecting the federation's arguments.

KEY POINTS:

• Court restrains Chaudhry Rashid from his role as PEMRA chairman.
• Appeal presented by the federation citing violations of regulations.
• Rashid failed to respond to two show-cause notices.
• The court previously reinstated Rashid on May 25.
• Arguments regarding appointment and compliance were discussed.