The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has struck down a government rule that barred senior bureaucrats from promotion to BS-22 after two deferrals or rejections, declaring the policy unconstitutional.
Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas issued the ruling while hearing multiple petitions against the “Reconsideration Amendment” (SRO 255(I)/2025), which had permanently disqualified officers from future promotion consideration after two unsuccessful attempts.
The court ruled that the provision was irrational and unconstitutional, noting that deferrals could occur for administrative reasons such as incomplete service records, training assignments, or a lack of available vacancies.
Treating such delays as evidence of unsuitability violated constitutional guarantees of due process, the judgment said.
The ruling came in response to petitions filed by seven BS-21 officers who were denied promotion.
The court highlighted the case of M Aamir Zulfiqar Khan of the Police Service of Pakistan, stating that the selection board had given adverse assessments without citing clear evidence.
The court also criticized keeping him as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) without responsibilities since 2023.
Similarly, Owais Nauman Kundi of the Pakistan Administrative Service received unexplained negative remarks despite having a satisfactory service record, the judgment noted.
While striking down the “two-strike” rule, the court upheld another amendment allowing Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to chair the High Powered Selection Board (HPSB) and approved consultation with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Khawaja Asif.
The court ordered the government to reconsider the petitioners’ promotion cases using transparent criteria and communicate any adverse findings within 14 days.
It also directed authorities to assign M Aamir Zulfiqar Khan a suitable posting within 30 days and consider Sohail Ali Khan of the Information Group for a proforma promotion.
