The federal government is having difficulty appointing an Acting Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) after Major General (Retd) Amir Azeem Bajwa rejected the Cabinet Division’s request to work until January 21st, 2023.
According to a source, the process for appointing the next PTA Chairman has begun, but the role of Acting Chairman until the permanent position is filled is likely to be subject to a few legal complications that could negatively impact the authority’s day-to-day operations.
Dr. Khawar Siddique Khokhar, Senior Member PTA (Compliance & Enforcement), is set to retire on Tuesday, January 10th.
Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Farhatullah Babar has already filed a High Court challenge to Member Finance Muhammad Naveed’s reappointment.
According to sources, the appointment of the Acting Chairman PTA may be delayed due to the current status of these members.
It should be noted that the summary of Member Compliance’s tenure extension has also been sent to the federal cabinet.
In any case, it has been indicated that several important frameworks within the regulator’s purview may face delays as a result of the various impediments to the appointment of an Acting Chairman.
According to Cabinet Division officials, the federal government will fill the role of Acting Chairman PTA in accordance with the law.
The process of permanently filling the PTA hot seat is currently underway, but no completion date has been set.
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