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UAE Welcomes Ceasefire Agreement Between Pakistan and Afghanistan – A New Chapter of Hope for the Region

In a major diplomatic breakthrough, the United Arab Emirates has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, calling it a positive and humanitarian step towards restoring peace and stability in the region. The UAE’s statement reflects its consistent role as a bridge for dialogue, unity, and cooperation among Muslim nations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE praised the mediation efforts of Qatar and Türkiye, acknowledging their contribution in bringing both sides to the table. This gesture underlines the UAE’s belief in collective diplomacy that lasting peace is achieved not through pressure, but through partnership and understanding. UAE officials described the ceasefire as “a humanitarian victory more than a political achievement”, emphasizing that calm along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border will open doors for trade, education, and cross-border cooperation. For Pakistan, this peace offers renewed opportunities for economic growth and border stab...

Pakistan court cancels telecom chief’s appointment over rule violations, favoritism

 ISLAMABAD: A high court in Pakistan’s capital on Tuesday canceled the appointment of Major General (retired) Hafeez-ur-Rehman as the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) chairman over violation of rules and favoritism.

Rehman was first appointed PTA member (administration) and in May 2023, he was appointed the chairman of the authority. The petitioner, Usama Khilji, challenged Rehman’s appointment as PTA member (administration), saying it was in contravention of PTA rules.

In his verdict, Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Babar Sattar stated that Rehman’s appointment as the PTA chairman was not legally valid, adding that a senior member of the authority should be appointed as the chairman temporarily.

“The creation of the office of Member (Administration) and the appointment made under it are void and of no legal effect,” the judge stated in the verdict. “The recruitment process suffered from mala fide in law and lacked transparency.” 

The petitioner said the federal cabinet had not created any additional post and the announcement of the induction of a new member was in breach of the PTA appointment rules, which did not envisage the position of member (administration).

“The statutory criteria were tailored to induct a pre-determined individual… the increase in the age limit also suggests that the respondents have already been tipped as to who the Member (Administration) is to be, and the statutory criteria have been relaxed to accommodate the said person,” the verdict read. 

“Making appointments to public offices that are not the products of a transparent, comparative and manifestly fair process is not a right of an elected government or a matter of Executive policy, but an abdication of the required allegiance to the rule of law.” 

The IHC judge said since the entire process of Rehman’s appointment as the member (administration) and as the PTA chairman was found to “suffer from malice in law being the product of an unconstitutional and illegal recruitment process, he shall cease to hold such appointments and shall immediately relinquish charge.”

He ordered that the senior-most serving PTA member be given charge of the office of PTA chairman till the time the federal government appoints a regular chairman.

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