IHC stays direct police recruitment

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday made the ongoing process of direct recruitment of Inspectors in the federal police subject to the final decision in a pending case, while issuing notices to senior government officials and seeking their replies.

Justice Ayyaz Shaukat issued a written order while hearing a petition filed by 39 Sub-Inspectors (SIs) challenging a Ministry of Interior (MoI) notification and an advertisement issued by the Public Service Commission for direct recruitment to the post of Inspector.

According to the court order, the petitioners' counsel argued that direct recruitment to the post of Inspector was contrary to the Police Order and that the law did not provide for appointments through this route.

The counsel further submitted that allowing the recruitment process to continue could result in appointments being made in violation of the prescribed legal procedure.

The court issued notices to the interior secretary, Inspector General of Islamabad Police, additional inspector general, chief commissioner, deputy secretary of the MoI and the Public Service Commission, directing them to submit their responses.