ISLAMABAD: Former federal information secretary Ambreen Jan has been selected to head the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), becoming the first woman nominated for the top position of the country’s electronic media regulator.
Her name was approved on Friday by a parliamentary committee tasked with finalising the appointment of Pemra’s chairperson. The committee, chaired by Senator Shehbaz Babar, unanimously endorsed Jan’s candidature after deliberations.
Following the committee’s decision, her nomination has been forwarded to President Asif Ali Zardari for formal confirmation. Once approved, she will assume charge of the regulator, a post that has remained vacant since the retirement of the previous chairman, Mohammad Saleem Baig, last year.
Jan is a retired Grade-22 civil servant with extensive experience in Pakistan’s information and broadcasting sector. During her career, she served as managing director of Pakistan Television, director general of Radio Pakistan and federal information secretary. She has also held a diplomatic assignment as press counsellor in Bangladesh during a period marked by strained bilateral relations.
The parliamentary committee considered five shortlisted candidates for the post, including Brigadier (retd.) Anwar Ahmed, Mateen Haider, Irfan Ashraf and Dr Hamid Khan, before selecting Jan.
Pemra is responsible for regulating Pakistan’s electronic media landscape, including television and radio broadcasters, and plays a key role in overseeing content standards, licensing and compliance. Jan’s expected appointment comes at a time when the regulator faces growing scrutiny over its role in balancing media freedom with regulatory oversight.
