Govt Starts Process to Appoint New Chairman PTA

The government has initiated the process to appoint new chairman and member Finance of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), but is reportedly negating its stance of encouraging the Pakistani expatriates to return back to Pakistan for performing their role in development of the country.

The tenure of former Chairman PTA Ismail Shah was completed on November 13, while Tariq Sultan, former Member Finance PTA completed his four years term on September 26, 2017.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abassi denied extension for second tenure to both the officials, while saying that the purpose of contract appointments is to ensure that the government retains the option to seek more qualified and better human resources from the market on the completion of the tenure particularly in a fast developing sector like the telecom sector in Pakistan.

While both the chairman and member (Finance) have performed fairly well, development in the telecom sector in Pakistan in the last four (04) years has also brought a large number of outstanding professionals in this sector back to Pakistan who did not compete when the positions were placed for appointments.

“It is a conscious policy of the government to improve its human resource and also to encourage the Pakistani expatriates to return back to Pakistan for performing their role in development of the country”, maintained a letter signed by Secretary to the Prime Minister Fawad Hasan Fawad.

However, as per the advertisement for new appointments, persons having dual nationally shall not be eligible for the appointment as a member. Further in the previous advertisement (2013), the upper age limit was 57, but according to the latest advertisement, the appointment of member shall be for a term of four years and the incumbent shall be eligible for re-appointment on similar term or terms subject to the condition that a member shall cease to hold office on attaining the age of sixty five (65) years.

Further there is no mention or requirement of registration with Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC). According to the fresh criteria, the person appointed as members shall be paid the salary and be entitled to the privileges of an officer in MP-II scale (Rs.18150027, 225-290,400). However, sources in the industry said that it is too meager, and unlikely to attract more qualified and experienced people.

Cabinet Division has invited applications from suitable citizens of Pakistan having following qualifications and experience for appointment (on open merit basis) for the posts of member (Technical) and member (Finance) in PTA.

Fore member (finance), the applicant should be a financial expert/ Chartered Accountant /FCA/CFA/CPA /CIMA from a recognized Foreign/Local University/Institute of high repute with fifteen years experience including at least five years at top management level.

For member (Technical), PhD in Telecom, Electronics or Electrical Engineering with major in Telecommunications, with fifteen (15) years relevant experience at least five years at top management level is required. Or (b) MSc /M.S (Electrical/ Electronics/Telecommunications Engineering with major in Telecommunications or in a related discipline with a minimum of eighteen (18) years experience at a responsible position in public /private sector. (c) The experience of working in the field of Telecommunications/ Regulatory organization will be preferred.

The appointment of Member shall be for a term of four years and the incumbent shall be eligible for re-appointment on similar term or terms subject to the condition that a member shall cease to hold office on attaining the age of sixty five (65) years.

The selected candidates will have to resign from their previous jobs and serve all their connections/liens with their parent job/organization before joining under this new contract in MP scale.

The selected candidates shall not have any direct or indirect financial interest or have business connection with any person, any establishment or firm which renders telecommunication services in Pakistan or abroad, and supplies telecommunication equipment to any telecommunication sector in Pakistan or abroad.