IHC declares PTA chairman’s appointment illegal, orders immediate removal

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday struck down the appointment of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeez u Rehman, declaring it illegal and directing his immediate removal from office.

In its judgment, the court ordered that a senior member of the PTA be assigned to serve as acting chairman until a lawful appointment is made.

The detailed 99-page verdict, authored by Justice Babar Sattar, was announced after the court had earlier reserved its decision. The case was initiated on a petition filed by digital rights activist Usama Khilji through Advocate Asad Ladha.

The bench observed that the appointment of Hafeez u Rehman was “not legally valid” and therefore could not stand. Justice Sattar had also sought written submissions from the respondents during the course of hearings before finalizing the ruling.