The parliamentary committee unanimously approves former information secretary for top media post
A file photo of Ambreen Jan. PHOTO: PTV
Ambreen Jan, a former federal information secretary, has been chosen as the new chairperson of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), a move that will make her the first woman to head the electronic media regulator once her appointment is confirmed.
The decision was taken on Friday during a meeting of a parliamentary committee headed by Shehbaz Babar, which was convened to appoint the next head of the influential media watchdog. The committee unanimously approved Jan’s name.
After the approval, her nomination was forwarded to President Asif Ali Zardari for final confirmation.
The post had remained vacant since the retirement of former Pemra chairman Mohammad Saleem Baig, who was appointed in 2018 and resigned last year.
Jan is a former Grade 22 officer with extensive experience in the media and information sector. She previously served as managing director of state broadcaster Pakistan Television, director general of Radio Pakistan and as press adviser to Bangladesh during a period of strained bilateral relations from 2011 to 2018.
She was shortlisted along with four other candidates for the post, including Brigadier (retd) Anwar Ahmed, Mateen Haider, Irfan Ashraf and Dr. Hamid Khan.
