Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeez ur Rehman has formally moved an intra-court appeal to challenge the Islamabad High Court’s decision that declared his appointment invalid and ordered his removal. The appeal has been filed under the 1972 Ordinance and was lodged shortly after Justice Babar Sattar’s ruling earlier in the day. In the filing, the chairman contends that his appointment was fully compliant with the governing laws and regulations and therefore should not have been annulled.
According to the case record, Hafeez ur Rehman was first appointed as Member (Administration) of PTA on 24 May 2023. Just one day later, on 25 May 2023, he was elevated to the position of chairman. The appeal maintains that both appointments adhered to established procedures and that the sequence of his elevation was legally sound. The petition emphasises that since taking up his role he has performed his responsibilities in accordance with applicable rules, highlighting that his leadership at the authority has been consistent with its statutory mandate.
The intra-court appeal also requests that the matter be fixed for urgent hearing, underscoring the need to preserve continuity at the telecommunication regulator. It argues that the High Court’s decision has created uncertainty around leadership at PTA, which oversees key aspects of Pakistan’s telecom infrastructure and regulatory environment. In his petition, Hafeez ur Rehman has asked the court to take into account the importance of maintaining stability in such a critical institution while legal questions about his appointment are resolved.
The Islamabad High Court’s ruling has already prompted wider debate about how senior appointments are handled at PTA. As one of Pakistan’s most prominent regulatory bodies, the authority plays a central role in managing licensing, spectrum allocation, compliance and broader policy execution in the telecom sector. Industry stakeholders and legal observers are closely following the proceedings, noting that the outcome of this appeal will set an important precedent for future appointments and continuity of leadership in regulatory institutions. The case is expected to remain under scrutiny as it moves through the judicial process in the coming weeks.
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