PEMRA GATE: ‘The appointment of Chairman PEMRA is illegal’ – PM Imran Khan

Jameel Farooqui and Sami Ibrahim from BOL News sat with Prime Minister Imran Khan for an exclusive interview in early January. Apart from discussing the economic conditions of the country, the oppositions’ PDM and the role of youth, the PM also reiterated how federal institutions have been destroyed through illegal appointments of ineligible personnel including PTV, PIA and PEMRA.

The PM made this comment by answering a question raised by Farooqui. “….the meritocracy that you have talked about in Pakistan? Why can’t we see that on ground as the PEMRA chairman was selected on completely bias and dubious grounds by the previous government? Why is he still here?” Though the PM stated that the Government cannot remove the chairman due to constitutional barriers, he did acknowledge that the appointment is questionable as well as that of many other heads of financial institutions.

PM Khan reiterated that there are many irregularities and problem in the country including that of the appointment of Chairman PEMRA. “I call the period 2008-2018, the ‘decade of darkness’ as the previous rulers sought to destroy the federal institutions by giving favors to their supporters in the shape of chairman appointment….” Said PM Pakistan. You can watch the full video of the interview here:

Even though PM Imran Khan acknowledged in his interview, the dubious selection Chairman PEMRA, his government’s helplessness was worrying. However, the Federal Cabinet has the right to dismiss any appointments before the end of constitutional tenure of that appointment. Which begs the question: If the PM knows the appointment is illegal, why he can’t direct the Federal Cabinet to initiate appropriate removal remedy?

You can read more about the news here:

https://oldsite.bolnews.com/pakistan/2021/01/pemra-gate-chairman-pemra-saleem-baigs-illegal-appointment-challenged-in-the-court/