Nepotism alleged: PEMRA officers move court against chairman

Petition says Rashid hired over 100 of his relatives.

ISLAMABAD:

Some 11 senior officers of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) have filed a petition against the chairman of the authority Chaudhry Rashid, alleging nepotism and misuse of powers.

Chaudhry Rashid allegedly appointed over 100 relatives in Pemra, the application said urging the court to annul these contractual appointments and ask the FIA to expedite its inquiry against Rashid.

The plea stated that officers not obeying wrongful directives of Pemra chief have to face harassment and threats of sacking and transfer.



The petitioners include DG policy Ashfaque Jummani, general manager Nasir Ayaz, former acting chairman of Pemra Abdul Jabbar, and former head of HR department Dr Mukhtar Ahmad.

Chaudhry Rashid, replying to queries of Daily Express, said that among the movers of the petition were persons who were appointed in the authority against rules and regulations.

These illegal appointees were employing tricks to halt inquiries against them, Rashid said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2014.