ISLAMABAD, March 8: The Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench on Wednesday dismissed a petition challenging the government’s decision to reduce the tenure of Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) chairman and four members from five years to three years.

The division bench comprising Justice Mohammad Muzzamel Khan and Justice Shabbar Raza Rizvi had reserved the verdict on Tuesday.

The court upheld the decision to reduce the tenure of the commission chairman and members, saying that the federal government was authorised to make changes in the tenure of FPSC employees.

The petition was filed by FPSC Chairman Lt-Gen (retired) Jamshed Gulzar Kiani and members Justice (retired) Abdur Rehman, Javed Akram, Gul Hanif and Tariq Saeed Haroon.

The federal government, President Gen Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and the secretary establishment division were made respondents in the petition. The petitioners were represented by Mohammad Akram Sheikh, while Attorney General Makhdoom Ali Khan appeared on behalf of the respondents.