GILGIT, April 26: Fourteen police officers of the Northern Areas on Wednesday filed a writ petition in the Northern Areas Chief Court challenging the appointment in the territory of officers belonging to the Pakistan Police Service cadre.

Respondents in the petition include the secretary for establishment division, Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas, regional chief secretary, DIG headquarters, AIG operations, SSP Gilgit and SSP Diamer.

The petitioners said the appointment of police officers from other parts of the country was violation of law and government policy. They said the federal government had introduced a reforms package in Northern Areas in 1994 and had taken measures for strengthening the police force.

They said that as per policy, promotion of police officers from Grade 17 to 20 had to be done within the department, adding that posting of officers from other parts of the country would deprive the local police officers of opportunities.

They said police officers appointed in the Northern Areas from outside should be transferred back to their respective departments. Court sources said the case would be taken up by May 2.

This is the first petition challenging the posting of police officers in the Northern Areas carried out by the ministry of Kashmir affairs and Northern Areas in collaboration with the establishment division. The posting and transfer of police officers from Grade 18 and above are done by the KA/NA Division.