he Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday reinstated Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (R) Hafeez-ur-Rehman, a day after his removal was ordered by a single bench.
A division bench comprising Justice Muhammad Asif and Justice Inam Amin Minhas took up the appeal filed by the PTA chairman. His counsel, Qasim Wadood, argued that the petition against his client’s appointment was baseless, as the rules governing the post had already been amended with cabinet approval before the case was filed. He pointed out that the changes were formally made on March 25, paving the way for the appointment.
After considering the arguments, the bench suspended the earlier ruling and restored Hafeez-ur-Rehman to office.
On Wednesday, Justice Babar Sattar had issued a 99-page judgment declaring the appointment illegal and unconstitutional. The verdict described the creation of the Member (Administration) post and changes to its qualifications as a mala fide exercise of power aimed at accommodating Hafeez-ur-Rehman. The court had directed him to immediately step down from the position and barred him from holding any office within the PTA.
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