PTA gets more time for completion of the 3G spectrum auction

PTA gets more time for completion of the 3G spectrum auction

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) gets more time for completion of the 3G spectrum auction and licenses in a transparent manner till October 14.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry resumed the hearing of identical petitions that had sought quick completion of the 3G spectrum auction and licenses on an urgent basis besides the appointment of Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) as well as some members of the authority at the earliest.

During the proceedings, Deputy Attorney General (DAG) for Pakistan Imran-ul-Haq said that three vacant slots in the PTA were filled by appointing Dr Syed Ismail Shah as member technical who also took charge as the Acting Chairman of the Authority, Tariq Sultan Chaudhry as member finance and Justice (retd) Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan was appointed as member compliance in the Authority.

Ali Raza, the counsel for one of the petitioners Khurram Chughtai, objected the appointment of Acting Chairman of the PTA Dr Syed Ismail Shah had tendered resignation with a statement, “I am not fit for the government service” and that the member finance of PTA Tariq Sultan Chaudhry was dual national to which Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed, “Perhaps a dual national is not banned to become member finance of the PTA”.

[blockquote cite=”The Chief Justice & The bench”] Court has nothing to do with the appointments terming that it is the discretion of the government; however, the court said it would have the matter of grave concern while slots are vacant in the institutions. Let the institutions function and don’t find fault in them
[/blockquote] The court adjourned hearing of the case till October 14. The auctioning of the 3G Spectrum licenses will benefit the national kitty so the transparent process in this regard should be completed on urgent basis without wasting time.