The Lahore High Court has issued notices to the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) . The Literacy Department, halting any disciplinary action against 138 employees of the Literacy Department and suspending the termination order of petitioner Qamar Shehzad.
Case Hearing and Petitioner’s Argument
Justice Anwar Hussain presided over the hearing of the case. Advocate Hafiz Tariq Naseem argued that the petitioners had successfully passed the NTS (National Testing Service) exam for employment in the Literacy Department. They were initially hired on a contract basis. However, the project they were working on was later converted into a non-project status, and despite court orders, the petitioners were not regularized.
Government Appeals and Administrative Maneuvers
Both the High Court and Supreme Court rejected appeals made by the Punjab government regarding employee regularization. However, instead of following court orders to regularize employees. The government tactfully wrote to PPSC asking them to withdraw their recommendations for the permanent status of these staff members. During this time frame, Qamar Shehzad was sacked on July 29th while results were withheld for the remaining 138 employees.
Court Inquiry and Suspension Orders
Inquiries were made by courts from PPSC as well as counsel representing the provincial government about the legal basis under which results had been withheld despite final decisions given in favor of petitioners’ regularization by the High Court & Supreme Court.
Orders Issued By The Courts
Notices were served on PPSC and Literacy Department while the termination order against Qamar Shehzad was suspended. Any disciplinary action against 138 workers should be put on hold until a resolution is found regarding this matter.
Background And Legal Implications
Successful completion of the NTS exam followed by contract employment in the Literacy Department. Shows that there are many steps involved before a contract worker can become a permanent staff member within an organization. The judiciary’s involvement stresses. Its role is to make sure executive decisions comply with laws laid down by different bodies. As well as judicial rulings made earlier on similar cases involving other departments such as health or education. Where employees have been recruited under similar circumstances but failed after several attempts at getting their positions changed due to lack of recognition from management which doesn’t see them fit enough even though they might have worked there longer than some actual full-time staff who just joined recently.
Next Steps
Issuing notices to PPSC and Literacy department will pave way for further judicial processes meant to address complaints raised by petitioners. In addition, the court’s decision to suspend the termination order and stop any disciplinary actions provides temporary relief for affected employees, but the law must continue seeking permanent solutions.
The Lahore High Court’s actions highlight the need to follow judicial decisions and treat employees fairly. By addressing petitioners’ grievances and questioning the government’s administrative maneuvers. It aims to uphold the rule of law protecting the rights of contractual workers Literacy Department. Next crucial to determine the long-term outcomes of implementing court orders regards regularization.
