LHC rejects govt appeal on dismissal of Pemra chairman

LAHORE: Lahore High Court on Thursday dismissed an appeal filed by the federal government on implementation of the verdict over the dismissal of former Pemra chairman Absar Alam.

Justice Shahid Karim heard the application filed by the federal government pleading that court halt proceedings on the implementation of its earlier verdict on the dismissal of the Pemra chairman.

Deputy Attorney General told the court that the dismissal of Alam will make the institution dysfunctional, and will affect the smooth running of the anti-media watchdog. The counsel for the federal government pleaded that the decision to implement the verdict within thirty days should be halted.

The court raised objection on the maintainability of the application, and said that the federal government should instead file an appeal on the verdict. The court said that the verdict has been issued and that Absar Alam has already stopped working at the organisation.

Therefore, the court ruled that the implementation of its earlier verdict cannot be stopped and dismissed the application.

LHC on Monday set aside the appointment of Absar Alam as Pemra chairman ruled that the appointment was made in flagrant violation of merit and the Supreme Court’s judgments. The court also called for the replacement within thirty days.

Absar Alam, a working journalist, was appointed in October 2015.