FCC suspends inquiry order against SPSC

The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Wednesday suspended the Sindh High Court's (SHC) interim orders directing an inquiry against the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC), halting interviews of successful candidates and ordering the rechecking of examination papers of unsuccessful candidates.

Hearing an appeal filed by the SPSC, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi observed that the SHC had effectively granted final relief through an interim order, adding that under the Constitution, a court could not grant relief beyond what had been sought in a petition.

Representing the commission, counsel Hafiz Ehsan Khokhar argued that the SHC had exceeded its jurisdiction and that the general allegations raised had no relevance to the case.

Counsel for the unsuccessful candidates contended that corruption and nepotism existed within the SPSC. He argued that the SHC had previously ordered the commission to be dissolved, after which it was reconstituted under new rules.

After hearing the arguments, the FCC suspended the SHC interim orders, issued notices to the parties and adjourned further proceedings until after the court's summer vacations.