ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday suspended the earlier single bench ruling that had removed Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman from office. He has been reinstated as PTA Chairman until further proceedings.
The two-member bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Asif and Justice Inam Amin Minhas, heard the appeal filed on behalf of the PTA Chairman. Lawyers Qasim Wadood and Salman Mansoor represented Hafeezur Rehman, while the additional attorney general also appeared in court.
During the hearing, the PTA Chairman’s lawyers argued that the single bench had granted relief without proper legal grounds. Salman Mansoor emphasized that the petition did not challenge the rules governing the appointment, and the attorney general had not been given notice, which he said violated legal procedure. “What is not requested in the petition cannot be considered under Article 199,” Mansoor stated.
Justice Muhammad Asif questioned whether the PTA had sufficient opportunity to present its case. Counsel for Hafeezur Rehman argued that due process had not been followed, and the single bench itself admitted that the matter was “not yet complete.”
Following these arguments, the two-member bench suspended the earlier decision and restored Maj Gen (retd) Hafeezur Rehman as PTA Chairman. Qasim Wadood also highlighted opposition to Hafeezur Rehman’s initial appointment, noting claims that the vacancy had been incorrectly advertised.
The petitioner had argued that amendments to PTA appointment rules were not properly considered. However, the PTA’s counsel clarified that the rules had been amended on March 25, prior to Hafeezur Rehman’s appointment, which had been approved by the federal cabinet in accordance with revised rules.
Earlier, on September 16, the IHC had ordered the immediate removal of the PTA Chairman, citing a flawed selection process. Justice Babar Sattar had issued a reserved 99-page judgment declaring the appointment “not legally valid.” The current suspension allows Hafeezur Rehman to remain in office as PTA Chairman until the matter is finally resolved.
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