ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee tasked with appointing the new chairperson of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has picked the name of former information and broadcasting secretary Ms Ambreen Jan for the post, sources told The News on Friday.
An in-camera meeting of the committee was held with the chair of Shehbaz Babar on Friday that deliberated on potential candidates for the top Pemra post.
Besides Babar, the meeting was attended by Senator Sarmad Ali, while MNA Raza Ali Gilani and Senator Ali Zafar did not attend.
According to the sources, the committee reviewed and discussed the credentials of five shortlisted candidates include Ambereen Jan, Brigadier (retd) Anwar Ahmed, Mazeen Haider, Dr Hamid Khan and Sardar Irfan Ashraf.
The sources said the discussion focused on Ambreen Jan and Anwar Khan.
The recommendation will be forwarded to the prime minister for approval. After PM’s nod Ambreen Jan will be first woman chairperson of Pemra.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Senator Sarmad Ali, member of the parliamentary committee overseeing the appointment of the Chairperson of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) said that the committee had completed its work in accordance with the law, despite the absence of opposition members.
Senator Ali said he had personally requested Senator Ali Zafar to attend the meeting of the committee. “The committee fulfilled its constitutional responsibility. If members of the opposition chose not to attend, the process could not be stalled indefinitely,” he said.
He disclosed that two candidates were found to be fully qualified for the post.
When asked whether the Pemra will see first women chairperson, he replied, “If a woman is appointed, it will be the first time in the history of Pemra that a woman assumes the office of chairperson. Similarly, if the brigadier is selected, he too will be the first from a military background to head the authority,” he added.
The committee’s recommendations will now be forwarded to the competent authority for final approval.
