The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a warning to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, stating he may be summoned if a Member Finance is not appointed to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) tribunal by May 18.
Court Demands Accountability for Vacant Post
During the proceedings, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani addressed the issue of the non-appointment, asserting that the prime minister should appear to explain the delay.
In addition to the Prime Minister, the court has ordered Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal and Law Secretary Raja Naeem Akbar to appear before the court.
The Role of the Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal
The tribunal is a statutory body designed to act as the primary appellate forum for regulatory disputes related to telecommunications and cyber issues.
Its core objective is to provide a specialized and expert forum that can resolve these regulatory disputes more quickly than standard channels.
The body is composed of three specific roles: a chairperson who is a senior advocate or former high court judge, a technical expert in ICT or related fields, and a finance expert with relevant professional experience.
Judicial Criticism of Retired Judge Appointments
The Assistant Attorney General informed the court that a retired judge had already been appointed as a member of the tribunal. This revelation prompted strong criticism from Justice Kayani regarding the practice of placing retired judges in such positions.
Justice Kayani remarked that such appointments have “caused more damage,” suggesting that retired judges are overly interested in joining tribunals.
The judge further commented on the nature of these appointments, stating, “At night, they remember the salutes and do not let others sleep,” and noting that some are appointed to the NRC while others go to different tribunals.
Potential Next Steps
If the appointment of the Member Finance is not finalized by the May 18 deadline, the Prime Minister could be formally summoned to explain the government’s inaction.
The appearances of the Law Secretary and Cabinet Secretary may provide further clarity on the administrative hurdles causing the delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for the appointment of the Member Finance?
The Islamabad High Court has set a deadline of May 18 for the appointment to be made.
Who is required to appear before the court?
The court has ordered Law Secretary Raja Naeem Akbar and Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal to appear, and warned that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif may be summoned.
What is the purpose of the Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal?
It is designed to serve as a specialized, faster, and expert primary appellate forum for telecom and cyber-related regulatory disputes.
Do you believe specialized tribunals are more effective when staffed by technical experts rather than retired judges?
