SC calls entire record of shoulder promotions, deputations

Several cases had been filed against out-of-turn promotions in govt offices.

KARACHI: Given the numerous petitions and applications against shoulder promotions and deputations, the Supreme Court has asked the government to produce all records.

The provincial government will also have to explain all the laws that it adopted to legalise out-of-turn promotions, inductions, deputations and absorptions of officers in various government departments.

A larger bench, headed by Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, was on Wednesday hearing the cases filed by some police officials against out-of-turn promotions to junior officers, on the basis of their performance. They argued that such promotions were in violation of the Sindh Civil Servants (Appointment, Promotion and Transfer) Rules 1974.

Meanwhile, the provincial government had defended the out-of-turn promoted officers, arguing they deserved such awards for their bravery demonstrated in the line of duty, particularly in eradicating terrorism.

The apex court had, however, nullified out-of-turn promotions, ordering demotion of all the beneficiary officers. The apex court had also ordered repatriation of all officers, who were inducted from other departments to the provincial government departments, then absorbed and deputed to lucrative posts.

A two-member bench had on Monday referred the matter to the larger bench to hear and decide the cases. The larger bench noted earlier that a number of out-of-turn promoted officers were demoted and many others serving on deputation were repatriated to their parent departments.



The judges did question how the government later allowed them to enjoy such promotions and deputations under the garb of an ordinance, which was promulgated to undo the orders of the apex court.

Adjourning the hearing till Thursday, the bench asked the authorities to submit entire records of such promotions, absorptions, inductions and deputations and laws adopted from time-to-time to legalise them.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2013.