ISLAMABAD: Justice Jawad Hassan of the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench on Tuesday issued notices to the government authorities on the petition that challenged the amendments in the criteria for the appointment of Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).

Sardar Ajaz Ahmad Khan Jaffar, a retired Federal Secretary, has filed a writ petition alleging illegalities in the ongoing appointment process for the ETPB chairman.

The petition, filed under Article 199 of the Constitution, contends that the advertisement for the post of ETPB chairman —published by the Ministry of Religious Affairs on April 20, 2025—violates the Evacuee Trust Properties (Management and Disposal) Act, 1975 and the ETPB Chairman Appointment Rules, 2019.

Jaffar, a retired BPS-22 officer with 30 years of unblemished service, claims the advertisement unlawfully restricts the age limit to 62 years, contravening the statutory upper limit of 65 years.

Key legal arguments include allegations that the ministry overstepped its authority by issuing the advertisement without the cabinet approval, bypassing mandatory procedures outlined in Establishment Division memoranda. The petition cites a 2022 Prime Minister’s Office notification forming a Selection Board for the appointment as ‘contrary to law’ arguing that only the Federal Government (Prime Minister and Cabinet) holds the constitutional mandate for such appointments.

Jaffar’s counsel emphasized that the process undermines merit, transparency, and the petitioner’s fundamental rights under Articles 4 (protection of law), 18 (freedom of profession), and 25 (equality) of the Constitution.

The petition seeks immediate suspension of the advertisement and a directive for the government to restart the process in compliance with the law. Interim relief applications, including a request to halt the appointment process pending the court’s decision, were also filed. The case cites the Supreme Court’s Mustafa Impex judgment, which defines the Federal Government’s role, to bolster claims of procedural violations.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2025