ISLAMABAD: Accepting the longstanding demand of the IT, telecom and internet service providers, the government has finally established the Tele­communication Appellate Tribunal.

The gazette notification stated that the tribunal will have three members, including the chairperson, who will be a judge of a high court or an advocate with experience of up to 15 years. The tribunal was established under the Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal Ordinance 2023.

The gazette said that all the appeals and cases related to the IT and telecom sector pending before any high court will be transferred to the tribunal, within one month. The appeals against the decision of the tribunal can be filed at the Supreme Court within 60 days.

The chairperson and the members of the tribunal have yet to be appointed by the government, but it was more likely that the process would be completed by the incoming government elected in the February 8 elections.

The law states that the chairperson and members of the tribunal will hold office for four years and will be eligible for re-appointment for a similar term or terms and shall cease to hold office on attaining the age of sixty-eight years or on the expiry of the term unless renewed, whichever is earlier.

If the chairperson of the tribunal is a retired judge of a high court, they will be entitled to the salary, perks and privileges as were last drawn as the judge, and in case the advocate is appointed as chairperson, they will be entitled to the salary, perks and privileges of MP-I scale of the federal government.

One member of the tribunal needs to have a Masters level professional degree in electrical, electronics, telecommunications, information and communication technology or information security or other related subjects with at least 10 years of relevant experience including at least five years of service at a senior management level in the public or private sector.

The other member too will have a Masters level professional degree in finance, commerce, economics, charted accountancy or any other related subject with at least ten years of relevant experience including at least five years of experience at the senior management level in the public or private sector.

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

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2024