IHC seeks reply on judges' repatriation

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday sought a response from the federal government and the Ministry of Law and Justice within two weeks on an appeal challenging the decision of the Service Tribunal, which had ordered the repatriation of judges serving on deputation in the federal capital to their parent departments.

Terming the matter one of serious nature, the court also sought assistance from the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP). The court posed 11 specific questions to the federal government. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the appeal filed by Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain of the ATC Islamabad, along with 22 other judges.

During the proceedings, the counsel for the petitioners argued that the Service Tribunal had reserved its verdict but, in the interim, a new tribunal was constituted by the President. Despite the formation of the new tribunal, the previous one issued the final decision.