Islamabad High Court’s division bench has suspended Justice Babar Sattar’s order removing Major General (retd) Hafeez-ur-Rehman as chairman of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, allowing him to resume his position pending the outcome of his intra-court appeal. The development marks the latest chapter in an ongoing legal dispute over the appointment process for senior leadership at the country’s primary telecom regulator. The suspension came after a detailed review of the appeal filed by Rehman, who challenged the single bench’s ruling on procedural and legal grounds.
Earlier, a petition filed by digital rights activist Usama Khilji had prompted the Islamabad High Court to examine the legality of Hafeez-ur-Rehman’s appointment. Justice Babar Sattar’s 99-page verdict concluded that his appointment as PTA Chairman was not legally valid and directed that a senior member of the authority should serve as acting chairman until a lawful appointment could be made. The court also ruled that the creation of the post of Member (Administration), through which Rehman first entered PTA before his elevation to chairman, was not included in the original PTA Appointment Rules and therefore unlawful.
The judgment stated that the appointment process appeared to have been tailored to accommodate a preselected candidate. Justice Babar Sattar underlined in the verdict that public sector appointments must follow transparent, merit-based criteria and must not be manipulated to favour individuals. The decision required Rehman to vacate his office immediately and directed the government to ensure compliance with the law while making new appointments to the regulatory body. This ruling sparked debate across the policy and telecom community about the governance of regulatory institutions.
Rehman subsequently filed an intra-court appeal, arguing that his appointment followed due process and that the court’s findings overlooked critical aspects of the law. On September 17, 2025, the division bench suspended the single bench’s order after reviewing the case, enabling him to return to his role as PTA Chairman. Legal observers note that while Rehman continues to discharge his responsibilities, the final verdict on this matter will carry weight for the future of regulatory appointments in Pakistan, potentially influencing how transparency and due process are implemented across public institutions. The case remains under close observation from industry stakeholders, legal experts and civil society, all of whom view its outcome as an indicator of standards for governance and accountability in key national organisations.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
