Supreme Court rules in favor of 16,000 dismissed government employees

Islamabad: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday has ordered reinstatement of 16,000 dismissed government employees, however, those who lose their jobs due to misconduct and corruption will remain dismissed.

In the judgment, the court dismissed all review petitions and reinstated 16,000 dismissed government employees.

The five-member bench of the apex court dismissed the appeals in the ratio of four to one. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah disagreed with the majority decision.

Supreme Court Justice Umar Ata Bandial announced the reserved verdict, in which the court ordered the reinstatement of the employees from Grade 1 to 7 while employees above grade 7 will have to qualify for the job on tests and merit.

The court said that a detailed decision on dismissal of review appeals against dismissal of government employees would be issued later.

During the previous hearing, Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarked that advertisements, tests and merit for appointments in government departments are necessary for transparency.

The attorney general argued that the 2010 law should be read as a law withdrawing dismissals so this way the law can be maintained and the employees will be restored to the level of 1997.

Justice Umar Ata Bandial further remarked that the nature of the present case has changed so now this case will not be reviewed but re-heard.

The attorney general replied that it was not clear whether the recruitments were legal or not therefore approval of review is requested.

Justice Sajjad Ali Shah while commenting on the case said to the attorney general that he is talking on assumptions and only the concerned agencies can tell the real situation in this regard.

On which Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarked that government proposals would be considered in this matter so that people are not deprived of their basic rights and decision will be taken in the interest of constitution, law and people.

We believe that the court’s decision has affected a large number of people therefore we will ensure that no thief can enter the government service through backdoors, Justice Bandial added.