Pemra issues rejoinder on POWA charges | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Pemra issues rejoinder on POWA charges

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD: Pemra has again clarified allegations levelled by Pemra Officers Welfare Association (POWA).

A rejoinder on Friday issued by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) said: “Regarding procurement of vehicles it is again clarified that these operational vehicles were procured in replacement of obsolete vehicles. The Authority in its 84th meeting on May 06, 2013 had allocated budget for replacement of condemned vehicles after seeking clarification from Finance Division (Expenditure Wing) whether the government ban on purchase of vehicles is applicable to Pemra or not. The Finance Division vide u.o. No. F.7(1) Exp.IV/2012-856 dated October 31, 2012 clarified that economy measures were not applicable on self-financing organisation which do not receive any funds from the government.

It may also be noted that the revised budget for the year 2012-13 was approved on the recommendation of the Sub-Committee of the Authority Members constituted in 82nd Authority meeting held on 9th April, 2013. In the light of the Authority decision the purchase order for 23 vehicles was placed against the condemned vehicles in the financial year 2012-13.

Therefore, the allegation of purchasing luxury vehicles in violation of government directives is absolutely incorrect, baseless and unfounded.Regarding allegation of appointing legal counsel on hefty package, it is clarified that the new chairman who took over charge on 28-01-2013 noticed that hundreds of Pemra cases were pending in adjudication at different courts.

During one month of his working, he realised that Pemra cases were not properly argued, pursued and decided in its favour due to stereo-typed, impersonal, bureaucratic, dehumanized and casual handling by Litigation Wing of Pemra.

He also observed that the legal counsels engaged by Pemra were far behind the level of parity with the counsels engaged by the private litigants against Pemra, particularly the litigation cases pertaining to the satellite TV channels involving billions of Pemra dues on account of 5% GAAR.

It may be noted that the chairman has been empowered by the Authority in its 47th meeting dated 28th February, 2008 to engage legal counsels on remuneration as deemed appropriate by him. The so called active legal wing of Pemra is now associates of POWA.

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