Govt Sets Up Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal

Staff Report

The government has established the Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal to settle disputes in the telecom sector.

This tribunal will ensure the speedy resolution of legal disputes involving telecom companies.

For power distribution companies, there has been a tribunal to address disputes in the power sector. Now, the caretaker government has set up a similar tribunal for the telecom sector. The TikTok Trends 2023: Content Creators Dominate

In response to the long-standing demands of IT, telecom, and internet service providers, the government has established the Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal Ordinance, 2023.

The gazette notification states that the Tribunal will consist of three members, including the chairperson, who will be either a Judge of a High Court or an advocate with up to 15 years of experience.

The gazette also specifies that all appeals and cases related to the IT and telecom sector pending before any High Court will be transferred to the Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal within one month.

Appeals against the decisions of the Tribunal can be filed at the Supreme Court within sixty days.

The chairperson and members of the Tribunal are yet to be appointed by the government, but the process will likely be completed by the incoming government elected in the February 8 elections.

According to the law, the chairperson and members of the tribunal will serve a term of four years and are eligible for re-appointment for a similar term or terms.

They shall cease to hold office upon reaching the age of sixty-eight years or at the expiry of their term unless reappointed, whichever comes first.

If the chairperson of the Tribunal is a retired Judge of a High Court, they will be entitled to the salary, perks, and privileges they last drew as a Judge.

If an advocate is appointed as chairperson, they will receive the salary, perks, and privileges of an MP-I scale of the Federal Government.

One member of the tribunal is required to have a master’s level professional degree in electrical, electronics, telecommunications, information, and communication technology, information security, or other related subjects, with at least ten years of relevant experience, including at least five years at a senior management level in the public or private sector.

The other member must have a master’s level professional degree in finance, commerce, economics, chartered accountancy, or another related subject, along with at least ten years of relevant experience, including at least five years at a senior management level in the public or private sector.

These members will be entitled to the salary, perks, and privileges of an MP-I scale.

Caretaker IT Minister Dr. Umar Saif stated that the Telecom Tribunal would operate under the Presidential Ordinance in the absence of Parliament.

He emphasized that the establishment of the Tribunal has been a long-standing demand of the telecom sector to expedite case resolution.

Dr. Saif added that according to the ordinance, the Ministry of Law will nominate the chairperson and members of the tribunal.

Additionally, the Tribunal will include two member technocrats, a number that may be increased or decreased as needed.

Dr. Umar Saif further explained that the Telecom Tribunal will be required to decide within 90 days on the approved appeals of telecom operators against the decisions of the PTA.

He noted that previously, any party would approach the High Court for operational or service disputes between PTAs and telecom operators, which often resulted in prolonged proceedings.

This tribunal will significantly aid in promptly and amicably resolving issues and disputes.