Islamabad, September 16, 2025: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered the removal of Major General (retd) Hafeez Ur Rehman from his post as chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), declaring his appointment unlawful.
In a 99-page judgment, Justice Babar Sattar ruled that the process leading to Rehman’s appointment “lacked integrity” and was tainted with “malafide in law.” The court directed that a senior PTA member be appointed chairman on a temporary basis until a new appointment is made in accordance with law.
“The subsequent steps taken by the federal government in filling the post of Member (Administration) pursuant to the impugned advertisement are not sustainable in the eyes of law and are of no legal effect,” the verdict read. It added that decisions built on an “illegal foundation” could not stand.
The court noted that Rehman was first appointed as Member (Administration) and then elevated to chairman while the petition challenging the recruitment was still pending. The IHC had earlier ruled in 2023 that any appointments made under the disputed advertisement would remain subject to the outcome of the case.
Petitioners argued that under Section 3 of the Telecom Act, only three member posts exist within the PTA and no new position of “Member (Administration)” was ever created by the federal cabinet. They contended that the appointment was ultra vires the PTA Appointment Rules, as the advertisement for the post was issued on March 28, 2023 — before the rules were amended on May 4, 2023.
After hearing arguments, the IHC reserved its judgment on August 20, 2025, before issuing Tuesday’s verdict, which nullifies both the post of Member (Administration) and Rehman’s subsequent elevation as PTA chairman.
