LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has directed the Punjab government to re-initiate recruitment process for persons with disabilities in the hiring of over 2,000 medical officers, as the mandatory quota was not properly implemented in earlier advertisements.

Justice Raheel Kamran issued a judgement disposing of a constitutional petition filed by a disabled medical doctor who challenged the omission of a three per cent quota for persons with disabilities in recruitment advertisements issued by the health department.

The petitioner, a qualified doctor suffering from a permanent spinal disability, argued that an advertisement for over 2,000 posts of male and woman medical officers failed to specify the legally required quota for persons with disabilities under the Punjab Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2022.

He contended that despite applying on open merit and appearing in the written test, the absence of a reserved quota deprived him and other similarly placed candidates of their lawful right to compete for designated seats.

Rules omission of disability quota violation of constitutional rights; directs CS to ensure 3pc quota in all future hirings

A report on behalf of the Punjab health department stated that the provincial cabinet approved the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Services (Secondary Level Human Resource) Rules, 2025, along with creation of 3,115 posts of medical officers/women medical officers on special pay packages.

It said the petitioner applied in the first phase of recruitment but failed to qualify. Subsequently, another advertisement for posts was issued with the last date to apply as March 24, 2026, wherein the petitioner again applied and the process was under evaluation, the report added.

It further stated that a corrigendum has already been issued with regard to the special quota and the grievance of the petitioner stood addressed.

In his judgement, Justice Kamran noted that Section 31 of the 2022 law makes it mandatory for all public sector departments to reserve at least three per cent of posts for persons with disabilities.

He observed that the initial advertisement issued in December 2025 did not reflect the statutory quota.

He said the government’s subsequent attempt to incorporate the quota appeared to be a post hoc corrective measure after the filing of the petition.

The judge held that such omission was not a mere procedural lapse but a violation of constitutional and statutory protections aimed at ensuring inclusion of marginalised groups.

The judge remarked that employment for persons with disabilities is not a charity but a constitutional and legal right, linked to dignity, livelihood and social inclusion.

Referring to constitutional guarantees under Articles 9 and 27, the judge observed that denial of employment opportunities undermines equality and perpetuates marginalisation.

He also referred to Pakistan’s obligations under international frameworks, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Allowing the petition, the judge directed the authorities to re-initiate recruitment strictly for the reserved quota of persons with disabilities by issuing a fresh and comprehensive advertisement through newspapers, official websites and other media platforms.

The judge ordered the government to ensure wide dissemination and transparency to enable meaningful participation of eligible candidates.

The judge further ordered that a copy of the judgment be sent to the chief secretary of Punjab for circulation to all administrative departments to ensure strict compliance with the three per cent quota law in future recruitments.

The judge had already stayed the appointment process on March 18 due to the government’s failure to implement the mandatory quota for persons with disabilities.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2026