LHC orders removal of PTA chairman

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday ordered to remove Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Syed Ismail Shah from the post on account of serving more than the prescribed time, ARY News reported.

The LHC declared extension on posting of the chairman PTA illegal and called for fresh appointment on the post by sacking him. Hearing in this regard was held by Justice Shahid Karim on the plea filed by Advocate Sheraz Zaka.

Read More: Najam Sethi’s election as PCB chairman challenged in LHC

The petitioner pleaded that appointment for the post of chairman PTA was made for four years but Ismail Shah was after extension allowed to occupy the seat for five years now.

“The chairman PTA has been allowed working for one year extra against the regulation of the post,” he said.

He said the government had given extension to the existing chairman rather than making new appointment despite high court’s orders in this regard.

Read More: Chairman NADRA appointment challenged in LHC

“Since the high court’s orders have been violated, the court should issue order for appointment of new chairman,” he argued.

The counsel for cabinet division assured the LHC that a new chairman would be appointed on his place.

Concluding the session, the court declared the chairman PTA’s posting illegal and directed to appoint new chairman on the basis of merit and laws within 30 days.