LAHORE: The Lahore High Court registrar has been requested to issue seniority list of the officers before likely promotions of assistants, assistant registrars, deputy registrars and additional registrars.

In a representation with the registrar, Assistant Registrar Muhammad Akmal Khan states the officers are going to be promoted through departmental promotion committee without the issuance of a fresh seniority list and without making amendment in the existing High Court (Appointment and Condition of Service) Rules, 1979.

He submits that the existing rules do not permit the authority to make such promotions without taking pre-promotion examination. He says if the promotions are necessary, rules should be amended and approved by the governor of Punjab.

Mr Khan contends that neither a fresh seniority list has been issued, nor the old one has been revised by inviting objections from all employees, as seniority list of direct appointees and promotees should be prepared separately for the purpose of promotions.

The officer alleges that at least 150 assistants, 45 assistant registrars, 15 deputy registrars and 12 additional registrars have illegally been promoted and appointed so far bypassing the existing rules.

He urges the registrar to stop the salary of “illegally promoted and appointed” officers to save the national exchequer.

He further asks the registrar to seek detailed comments from quarters concerned to apprise the LHC in this regard to settle the issue of promotions forthwith for dispensation of justice.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2020