The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered the immediate removal of Major General (R) Hafeez-ur-Rehman from his position as Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), declaring his appointment illegal, according to News.
Justice Babar Sattar announced the verdict and released a detailed 99-page judgment.
The court ruled that the process used to appoint Hafeez-ur-Rehman as Member (Administration) and later as PTA Chairman was unconstitutional and unlawful. It stated that the appointment was made with “malice in law.”
The IHC noted that officials had created the post of Member (Administration) and tailored its requirements specifically to fit Hafeez-ur-Rehman, calling it a misuse of authority done in bad faith.
The court ordered Hafeez-ur-Rehman to immediately step down and give up all responsibilities within the PTA.
It also directed that the senior-most serving PTA member should take charge as acting chairman until the federal government appoints a new chairman through a legal and transparent process.
The post of Member (Administration) was originally created in 2023 after changes to PTA rules increased the number of members from three to four.
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