Nowhere in world simple graduates are made regulatory body

head: LHC

Pakistan Press Club – LAHORE: Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday remarked that nowhere in the world, simple graduates were appointed as head of a large public regulatory institution except in Pakistan.

“The world has been advancing while our country is going backwards as educational qualification for the appointment of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) chairman was set at the lowest standard of graduation just to accommodate an individual,” the judge said.

Amina Malik had moved the court challenging the appointment of Absar Alam as Pemra chairman. During proceedings, Advocate Azhar Siddique argued on behalf of the petitioner that the government twice issued advertisements to fill the post of Pemra chairman. Absar Alam, he said, could not meet requirements for the post as per first advertisement and the government, after making amendments, issued another advertisement to accommodate him. He said the PM appointed him on the basis of personal liking in violation of merit. He asked the court to set aside the appointment.

The Pemra counsel said the appointment was made on merit as the minimum qualification required for the post was graduation. He said three names were shortlisted for the post and the PM appointed Absar by exercising his discretionary powers. Defending the salary package of Rs 15 lakh for the chairman, the counsel said that as per advertisement, terms and conditions for salary could be changed.

Justice Karim questioned the appointment of a simple graduate to such an important post, remarking that merit should be ensured. He sought record about the appointment. The court will continue hearing the case today (Wednesday).