IHC bins pleas against FIA contract non-extension

Says contracts were not renewed due to unsatisfactory performance

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday dismissed petitions challenging the non-extension of contracts for three employees of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

The court, after careful consideration, binned the pleas, citing records that indicated the contracts were not renewed due to unsatisfactory performance, as recommended by the department selection committee.

In its verdict, the court ruled that the decision to not extend the employment contracts did not infringe upon the fundamental rights of the petitioners.

Meanwhile, in another development, the IHC issued an order for the deportation of Afghan citizen Jannat Gul to Afghanistan within two weeks due to the absence of a valid residence or stay permit in Pakistan.

Under the court's directive, Jannat Gul will be repatriated to Afghanistan unless involved in any additional legal matters.

Read IHC issues contempt notices to IB, FIA and PTA

Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri delivered the verdict in response to a plea filed by Jannat Gul.

According to the court's investigation, Jannat Gul's registration card was rendered inactive by the NADRA on May 8, 2023. Although the petitioner's registration card was initially extended until March 31, 2024, it ceased to be valid as of June 30, 2023, as confirmed by the chief commissioner for Afghan refugees.

Given these circumstances, the court said that Jannat Gul lacked both residence and a valid residence permit.

Jannat Gul's name had been included in the list of individuals slated for deportation, a move she legally challenged.