Civil servants should not come under influence of politicians'; Important decision of Federal Constitutional Court on Quaid-e-Azam's saying

Quaid-e-Azam had said governments come and go but civil service is backbone of state which remains, court decision

Islamabad: Federal Constitutional Court giving important decision on principle of Quaid-e-Azam has ruled that civil servants should not come under influence of politicians.

Federal Constitutional Court rejected promotion appeal of police service officer Tanveer Ahmed Tahir. Constitutional Court dismissed appeal against decision of Islamabad High Court. This written decision has been issued by Justice Ali Baqir Najafi.

In decision, historic speech of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah made to civil officers in Peshawar in April 1948 has been made principle for employees. According to court decision, Quaid-e-Azam said civil servants should never come under any political pressure, political party or politician's influence. Quaid-e-Azam had said that governments come and go but civil service is backbone of state which remains.

Federal Constitutional Court said in decision that Quaid-e-Azam said that officers should serve state and people without fear and with honesty. Quaid-e-Azam said interference of politicians gives birth to fatal diseases like corruption, bribery and nepotism.

It is clear that appellant had challenged decision of Division Bench of Islamabad High Court dated February 15, 2022 while Islamabad High Court had declared non-promotion from BPS 19 to BPS 20 and promotion of junior officers as correct.

According to case, Tanveer Ahmed Tahir passed CSS exam in 1999 and joined Police Service of Pakistan (PSP). Appellant was promoted to Grade 18 on June 22, 2007 and to Grade 19 on January 16, 2015. Promotion was deferred in 2018 and 2019 due to conviction in NAB Reference No. and then Sindh High Court acquitted appellant from reference on November 8, 2019.

Later after acquittal from Sindh High Court officer was reinstated in service on January 24, 2020. In fourth meeting of Central Selection Board in January 2020, matter of promotion of officer came under consideration again and officer was superseded due to another NAB reference being pending.

In 2020 junior officers were promoted while appellant did not get promotion.

Single Bench and Division Bench of Islamabad High Court had dismissed officer's application and Intra-Court Appeal. High Court had ruled that Board decided under all rules and regulations and Civil Servants Promotion Rules 2019.