The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has declared the government’s decision to halt the overseas postings of Trade and Investment Officers based on an intelligence agency report as illegal and void, directing authorities to proceed with the appointments.
The ruling was issued by a single-member bench headed by Justice Raja Inaam Amin Minhas, which heard petitions filed by officers whose overseas postings had been blocked despite completing the selection process.
According to court records, 28 officers were selected for Trade and Investment Officer positions after undergoing tests, interviews, and training.
While 18 officers received overseas postings, the appointments of 10 others were halted after the Ministry of Commerce cited a “not suitable” assessment from an intelligence agency.
During the proceedings, Ministry of Commerce officials reportedly admitted that they had neither reviewed the intelligence report nor known the reasons behind the assessment, but acted on it solely because it had been issued by the agency.
The court noted that neither the report was presented before the bench nor shared with the affected officers, despite repeated requests. As a result, the officers were denied an opportunity to respond to the allegations or concerns raised against them.
In its judgment, the IHC held that a merit list approved by the prime minister and the selection board could not be overturned without valid reasons.
The court further observed that the government failed to produce any notification declaring the intelligence report classified.
The bench emphasized that while courts generally avoid interference in policy and security matters, they remain responsible for safeguarding the legal rights of citizens and public servants.
Citing judicial precedents, the court stated that administrative decisions taken without concrete evidence are arbitrary and unreasonable.
It also ruled that relying on intelligence reports against civil servants without providing them an opportunity to respond violates principles of due process.
Consequently, the court set aside the government’s decision and ordered the authorities to proceed with the overseas postings of the affected Trade and Investment Officers.