The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday granted a final opportunity to the respondents to submit their replies in a petition challenging the appointment of Ambreen Jan as chairperson of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), and adjourned the hearing until August 5.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the petition filed by Sohail Sajjad Rana, during which lawyers representing the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, PEMRA and Ambreen Jan sought more time to file their responses.
During the proceedings, the representative of the Cabinet Division informed the court that the division had been bypassed in the appointment process and had no role in the matter.
The petitioner's counsel, Shahid Mehmood Khokhar, opposed the request for further time, arguing that the respondents were employing delaying tactics. He urged the court to fix an early date for the next hearing, saying the case involved a matter of significant public importance.
Justice Arbab Tahir observed that the court could have suspended the notification of Ambreen Jan's appointment on the petitioner's request but had exercised restraint. "I am giving the last chance. The parties should file their replies before the next hearing," the judge remarked.
The court subsequently adjourned the proceedings until August 5 and directed all respondents to submit their replies before the next date of hearing.