Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has summoned the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Islamabad in person on a petition challenging the practice of engaging private individuals to perform official functions in the federal capital's patwar circles.
During proceedings on Wednesday, the court was informed that only nine patwaris are serving against 45 sanctioned posts in Islamabad's patwar circles, with the remaining duties being carried out by privately hired clerks.
Justice Kayani observed that the patwaris had effectively delegated their responsibilities to these clerks, stressing that the posts in question are specific to Islamabad and not to any other province.
He further remarked that, had he ordered the registration of a case, all nine patwaris would have been imprisoned — though he refrained from doing so at this stage.
The judge added that the positions within the Islamabad Capital Territory are local rather than federal, noting that the Chief Commissioner was benefiting from the work of 45 officials by employing just nine. "The entire system is operating on dishonesty," he commented. The hearing was adjourned with a directive for the DC to appear personally at the next session.
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