IHC questions omission of FIA grade 20 posts

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought explanations from the Establishment Division, the Ministry of Interior, and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) over discrepancies in the Central Selection Board's (CSB) working papers related to promotions in the FIA's law department.

The papers listed only one vacant Grade 20 post instead of the four positions officially available, prompting the court to issue notices to the concerned authorities.

Justice Babar Sattar, in a written order, directed the interior secretary to resolve the petitioners' grievances and present a copy of the decision at the next hearing, scheduled for November 21.

The directives were issued during the hearing of a petition filed by FIA officers, including Bakhtiar Cheema, who challenged the promotion process.

The petitioners' counsel argued that the CSB working papers provided incorrect information by mentioning only one available position for the post of Director Law in Grade 20.

This, he claimed, deprived the petitioners of a fair opportunity for promotion, as the actual number of vacant positions was four, according to the department's rules.

A representation was previously filed with the law secretary highlighting the issue, but no decision has been made so far.

The court ordered the law secretary to address the representation and submit a reasoned decision to the court at the next hearing.

The case has been adjourned until November 21.