Section officers challenge absorptions

Petitioners say both Khan and Ahmed are permanently inducted in Establishment Division

ISLAMABAD: A dozen section officers of different ministries and divisions have challenged permanent absorption of two “college lecturers” before the Islamabad High Court who have now been serving as grade 17 officers in the establishment division.

Petitioners through their counsel contended before the court that the absorptions other than FPSC are violation of law under the Supreme Court’s order.

Subsequently, Justice Aamer Farooq of the IHC issued notices to the respondents a couple of days ago with directions to submit reply by November 30.

Petitioners Imtiaz Hussain, Suhail Akhtar, Faaiz Ali, Mohammad Umair, Rabnawaz Khan, Ali Faisal, Sobia Batool, Sehrish Mazari, Seikh Mohammad Umar Farooq, Gulam Khaliq, Ashij Luqman and Maryam Ayub have made federation through secretary establishment division and two section officers Shaukat Ali Khan, Ejaz Ahmed respondents in the petition.



In the petition, the counsel said that they joined civil service through CSS examination and selected for Office Management Group (OMG). With the permanent absorption of the two above said respondents, petitioner’s fundamental rights like seniority and consideration for promotion are affected.

The petition revealed that Khan joined service as lecturer in Government Musa College Quetta and he was later appointed as section officer in finance division on deputation against law and rules.

And, Ahmed was also a lecturer in Government of Punjab and he was appointed as section officer against rules.

The petition alleged that instead of implementing the apex court’s order in which the court directive that “the policy with regard to deputation and appointments made by transfer shall be reviewed by the government of Pakistan to bring it in conformity with the referred judgments” (of the apex court), the establishment division inducted the two officers of Balochistan and Punjab education departments in OMG out of turn.



The petition conceded that though there is a process for the induction of officials of provincial officers in the OMG but this need to be open for all officers of provincial governments and should not be done on pick and choose basis

The petitioners said that both Khan and Ahmed were permanently inducted in the department through an establishment division order dated July 25, 2017.

Petitioners maintained that the permanent induction of the respondent section officers is illegal and due to this seniority of the petitioners is affected.

Petitioners prayed to the court to set aside establishment division order dated July 25 and till final adjudication of this writ, operation of the order may be suspended.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2017.