IHC seeks record of officers promoted to Grade 22

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday sought the record of those promoted to Grade 22, and adjourned the hearing until May 30 on petitions regarding constitutional and legal powers of the high powered selection board responsible for promoting senior bureaucrats.

Justice Inaam Minhas directed respondents to assist on five most important constitutional and legal questions and give arguments.

The petitions were filed by former information secretary Sohail Ali Khan and other senior officers. Barrister Omar Gillani, Shoaib Shaheen, Qamar Afzal and other lawyers represented the petitioners. After preliminary hearing, the court directed the federation to present record in respect of officers who have been promoted to Grade 22.

The court has sought replies from the respondents in respect of the legal questions that does Prime Minister hold powers to post senior officers anywhere; is amendment made in new rules applicable to development started under old rules; if officers files are prepared on the basis of old rules then how the new rules will be applied; High powered selection board pursues what criterion to judge ability of officer; did the high powered selection board exercise its powers regarding promotions according to Supreme Court decisions.

The court will hear arguments on these legal questions during the next hearing. The court adjourned further hearing until next Friday.