One last chance to government for reply on PEMRA chief's appointment

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 11 March 2017

The Lahore High Court is pressing the federal government for a response regarding the controversial appointment of Absar Alam as PEMRA chairman. The case has been ongoing since November 2015, amid allegations of nepotism.

Summary

ISLAMABAD – The Lahore High Court Friday gave one last chance to the federal government to reply to a petition challenging the appointment of Absar Alam (pictured) as chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).

Dawn reported Saturday that when the hearing resumed, a deputy attorney general appeared on the government’s behalf and sought more time.

The petitioner’s counsel Azhar Siddique told the court the government wanted to prolong the proceedings and had been doing just that since November 2015 when the petition was submitted.

Justice Jawad Hassan took serious notice of the delay and gave the government a final chance to file its reply.

Dawn reported that the judge also directed the law officer to come up with government’s view on PEMRA’s stance against the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.

The hearing was adjourned until April 5.

Advocate Siddique alleged that Absar Alam’s appointment was a clear case of nepotism and violation of merit on part of the federal government.

KEY POINTS:

• Lahore High Court demands final response from government
• Debate over Absar Alam's appointment as PEMRA chairman
• Petitioner claims appointment violates merit
• Government accused of prolonging proceedings since 2015
• Next hearing scheduled for April 5