Acting chairman of PTA appointed

SC had given 10 days on Sept 2 for the post to be filled.

ISLAMABAD:

For months the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had been without a chairman, but on Monday the government, complying with Supreme Court orders, filled the slot. An acting chairman as well as members of the authority have been appointed.

“Dr Syed Ismail Shah has been appointed acting chairman,” said a statement issued by the PTA.

According to the statement, the government appointed three members in the PTA through a competitive process.

Meanwhile, Tariq Sultan has joined as member (finance). He remained finance director-general in the PTA for several years and was working as director general of revenue assurance.

Law Ministry’s secretary Justice (retd) Muhammad Raza Khan has been given the additional charge of member (compliance and enforcement). Mr Tariq Sultan assumed the charge of member (finance).

On Monday, Dr Ismail Shah and Tariq Sultan held a meeting with senior officers of the authority and discussed short- and long-term measures to facilitate and regulate the telecom industry, the statement added.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had directed the government to complete the appointment process of PTA chairman and its members in 10 days and finalise the auction of 3-G licences within two months.

The appointment of former chairman Farooq Awan was declared illegal by the Lahore High Court in January.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st, 2013.