Shoulder promotions: SC directs IG Punjab to submit details

Justice Javed Iqbal reiterated that court’s verdict would not prejudice individuals’ rights.

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court (SC) has directed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Javed Iqbal not to amend the new seniority list of police officials till the final verdict is announced and submit details of police officers recently promoted to the next rank.

Counsel for Punjab Police, Aitzaz Ahsan contended that the new seniority list compiled on merit this year in accordance with the SC’s directive should be adhered to for the officers’ promotion.

Hamid Khan contested his submission and argued there was no need for the new seniority list and promotion should be awarded on the basis of the seniority list of 2008, since police officials waiting in line for promotion should be accommodated first before compiling a new list of names. Ahsan had declared that the 2008 seniority list was bogus on an earlier hearing. Khan maintained that in case of a genuine grievance against the 2008 list, the police official may go into appeal. Police officers present in the court also seemed to be divided on the issue.

Justice Javed Iqbal, presiding over a division bench, reiterated that the court’s verdict would not prejudice individuals’ rights. The court took suo motu notice not to demoralise the police but to safeguard their rights, he remarked. The bench adjourned the hearing for
two weeks.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 13^th, 2011.