Supreme Court questions reasons for not appointing permanent PEMRA chairman
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the reasons for not appointing a permanent chairman in Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra).
A two-Judge bench comprising Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain resumed hearing of the media accountability issue.During course of hearing the bench summoned record of notification for appointing acting chairman Dr Abdul Jabbar.
The counsel for the acting chairman Pemra apprised the bench that his client had been officiating as member of the body whereas he was looking after affairs as acting chief under Sections 6 and 7 of the Ordinance.
Justice Jawwad S. Khawja disagreed with the stance and observed that the de facto principle would not apply here. The counsel said that his client had been performing the functions as assigned to him and cited Article 175 A and 14 of the Constitution. Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja questioned whether the body and its members would work in absence of the permanent chairman.
Deputy Attorney General for Pakistan Dil Muhammad Alizai submitted a letter and said that the concerned ministry of information had sought profiles of current serving and retired officers for making a permanent appointment.
Justice Khawaja observed that after May 13, 2012 no permanent chairman was appointed.Justice Khilji Arif Hussain sought notification of other eleven members of the body and asked him to explain how they could take a decision without a permanent head of the body. The bench hinted to give its ruling over the issue. Further hearing was adjourned till Wednesday.
” 
” 
” 
” 
