Service matters: SC to review order on out-of-turn promotions

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday refused to grant a stay order against the demotion of several Punjab police officers who had been promoted out of turn.

On a request by the petitioners’ counsel, the court agreed to hear review petitions against its January 26 and 2013 judgments and adjourned hearing till March 15. Justice Ameer Hani Muslim observed that out of turn promotions cannot be allowed on any ground to the police or the civil services officers. The three-judge bench headed by Justice Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing petitions of 43. On January 26, the court had observed that out of turn promotions granted to any officer for any reason should be undone within four weeks.

It had directed that seniority of these officers be re-fixed in accordance with the 2013 and 2015 SC judgments. At a previous hearing, the Punjab additional advocate general had told the court that work was underway to implement the court directive.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2016.