LHC seeks response regarding recruitment

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday suspended the process of direct recruitment of senior registrars of cardiology by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) until further proceedings.

Justice Muzammil Akhtar Shabbir issued the order while hearing a petition filed by Medical Officer (Cardiology) Dr Asif Rehmat and three others.

The court sought a reply from the secretary of primary and secondary healthcare.

Advocate Safdar Shaheen Pirzada, representing the petitioners, argued that his clients were serving as medical officers of cardiology) in public sector hospitals and were eligible for promotion as senior registrar.

However, despite repeated requests, the relevant authorities had failed to convene a meeting of the Departmental Promotion Committee.

He contended that instead of promoting eligible medical officers, the department had opted to recruit new senior registrars through the PPSC, terming the move unjust. He requested the court to suspend the recruitment process until the matter was resolved.