Telecom Regulator Headless for Almost Two Months



The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has been operating without a leader for almost 50 days, as the government has yet to name the telecom regulator's chairman.


Major General (retired) Amir Azeem Bajwa resigned as chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) on January 2, 2023, after completing his four-year term. The government did not grant him an extension.


According to reports, the Cabinet Division verbally requested the former chairman to continue working for an extra three weeks, which he declined. The Cabinet Division has commenced the procedure for the appointment of the new member, which will be followed by the appointment of the Chairman.


Dr. Kawar Siddique Khokhar, Member (Compliance and Enforcement) of the PTA, concluded his four-year term on January 10, 2023 and resigned from his position shortly after the previous chairman. The federal government did not approve the summary for his term extension, hence he resigned from his position. But, according to reports, Dr. Kawar's extended summary has not yet been accepted or refused.


Both the Member (Compliance and Enforcement) and Chairperson PTA/Member (Technical) seats are empty at present.


The reappointment of Mohammad Naveed, the lone remaining member of the Authority, became controversial when Pakistan People's Party leader Farhatullah Babar challenged it in the Islamabad High Court.



According to sources, Mohammad Naveed, the lone remaining member of the Authority, has little authority and can only manage day-to-day operations. According to reliable sources, the administration has not yet appointed a PTA chairman.


According to additional sources, due to the absence of two members/chairman, the Authority is incomplete and may face difficulties in the coming days if the situation persists for an extended period of time.

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