ISLAMABAD: In less than two weeks, the government suffered a second embarrassment when the Islamabad High Court suspended the sacking of Chaudhry Rashid Ahmed, Chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority.
Chaudhry Rashid, former information and broadcasting secretary, was appointed as chairman of Pemra for four years by the PPP-led government on Jan 26 this year.
On Dec 15, the PML-N government terminated his contract and appointed Tehsin Ali Khan, an executive member of the authority, as acting chairman.
On Dec 3, it may be mentioned, the IHC had suspended the sacking of Nadra chairman Tariq Malik till final adjudication of the matter.
Chaudhry Rashid, through his counsel Barrister Wasim Sajjad, challenged his sacking before the IHC.
Barrister Sajjad requested the court to declare the notification issued in the case of Chaudhry Rashid as null and void and set aside another notification relating to the appointment of Tehsin Khan as acting chief of Pemra.
After preliminary hearing, Justice Riaz Ahmed Khan issued notices to respondents — the information and broadcasting secretary, establishment division secretary, Pemra and its acting chairman and adjourned the hearing till a date in office.
Suspending the termination of Chaudhry Rashid, the court said: “Operation to the impugned order shall remain suspended till the next date of hearing.”