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ISLAMABAD:
A constitutional bench (CB) of the Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the federation on a petition filed against induction of officers from armed forces in the civil bureaucracy without any written examination.
A five-member CB led by Justice Aminuddin Khan took up a petition filed through Ali Azeem Afridi.
During the hearing the lawyer contended that civilian candidates desirous of joining the Central Superior Services (CSS) are mandated to sit a written exam as well as an interview. However, officers from armed forces are exempted from the written exam.
When Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, a member of the bench, asked the counsel as to which of his fundamental rights are violated by this provision, he replied that this provision was discriminatory.
The CB issued notice to the federation under Section 3 of the Civil Services Rules, 1956 and adjourned the case for three weeks.
The CSS refers to the elite civil service of Pakistan through which bureaucrats and government officers are recruited to various federal departments and ministries.
Conducted by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), the purpose of the CSS exam is to recruit officers for the Grade-17 posts in various federal government services. This exam includes written tests of compulsory and optional subjects, psychological assessment and a viva voce or interview.
The bench, while hearing a petition regarding the inclusion of life skills education in schools, summoned the federal and provincial education secretaries.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked that the presence of all secretaries would help develop a joint strategy.
The additional attorney general informed the court that life skills education is already being taught in Islamabad’s schools. Justice Mazhar emphasized that all provinces must formulate a policy in coordination with the federal government.
Salman Akram Raja pointed out that Punjab and the federal government have submitted their responses but copies have not been provided to them. The court expressed displeasure over the absence of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s representative.
The court directed that copies of all provincial responses be shared with the petitioner’s counsel and adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period.
During the hearing of an appeal related to the appointment of vice-chancellors in universities, Justice Mazhar inquired whether the rector and president of Islamabad’s International Islamic University had been appointed.
The lawyer responded that the rector has not been permanently appointed and currently holds an acting charge. The university’s lawyer informed the court that the president of the International Islamic University has been appointed but he has not yet taken charge due to being in Saudi Arabia.
