On January 2, a parliamentary committee selected former federal information secretary Ambreen Jan as its nominee for the post of chairperson of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra). This step would place a woman at the head of the electronic media regulator for the first time, subject to final approval.

The decision was taken during an in-camera meeting of the committee held on Friday and chaired by Shehbaz Babar. Members examined the credentials of all candidates shortlisted for the position before agreeing unanimously on Jan’s name.

Following the committee’s approval, Jan’s nomination was forwarded for final confirmation. According to official accounts, the recommendation will be sent to the competent authority, including the prime minister and the president, as part of the formal appointment process.

The post has been vacant since the retirement of Mohammad Saleem Baig, who was appointed as Pemra chairperson in 2018 and stepped down last year upon completion of his tenure.

Jan is a retired Grade 22 officer who has served in several senior roles in the media and information sector. Her previous assignments include serving as managing director of the state-run broadcaster Pakistan Television, as director general of Radio Pakistan, and as press counsellor in Bangladesh between 2011 and 2018.

The committee considered five candidates for the position. Along with Jan, the shortlisted names included Brigadier (retd) Anwar Ahmed, Mateen Haider, Irfan Ashraf, and Dr Hamid Khan. The committee reviewed the professional backgrounds of all five candidates before finalising its recommendation.

Established in 2002, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority functions as an independent federal body responsible for regulating broadcast media and issuing licences for television channels and distribution services across Pakistan.