LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has restrained the Punjab Board of Revenue (BoR) from finalising the recruitment of patwaris (revenue field staff) till a final decision on the petitions against the change in basic criteria for the posts of BPS-9.

Justice Sajid Mahmood Sethi issued the stay on petitions filed by Jamil Kokab and other candidates who had applied for the vacancies announced by the BoR.

Advocate Awais Khalid, on behalf of the petitioners, contended that the revenue department rules of 2002 described the eligibility criteria for the post of patwari as matriculation or equivalent certificate and patwari course examination. He pointed out that the BoR, through a letter issued on Feb 23, 2021, changed the eligibility criteria, excluding the examination of patwari course and incorporated ICS with computer proficiency test.

The counsel argued that the impugned letter as well as the advertisement by the respondent was against the law as the basic criteria of 2002 duly notified by the governor could not be changed through a letter. He said the petitioners had been deprived of their right to be considered eligible for the post of patwari having requisite qualification of the ‘patwari course’ under the rules. He asked the court to set aside the impugned letter and the subsequent advertisement.

The judge sought replies from the Punjab government and the BoR by June 3. He ordered that the recruitment process shall continue, however, its fate shall be subject to the outcome of the petitions.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2021