ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Friday temporarily stopped the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) from proceeding with its fresh recruitment plans, issuing a stay order on the execution of an advertisement for new posts.

Justice Mohammad Azam Khan passed the order while hearing a miscellaneous petition filed by an ANF constable challenging the recruitment drive. The court ruled that the advertisement shall remain suspended until the final decision of the main petition, which has been fixed for hearing on August 22. The court also removed objections raised by the Registrar Office and disposed of the miscellaneous application, though the judge clarified that the interim relief was granted without going into the merit of the case.

The petition was filed by ANF Constable Mohammad Shafiq Khan through his counsel, Advocate Mohammad Ali Raza. The Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Law, and Director General ANF have been made parties to the case.

In his petition, Constable Shafiq stated that he has been serving in the same post for the last ten years and has received no promotion despite being ranked 232 in the seniority list of 665 constables in the department. He contended that advertising new direct recruitment without first convening a meeting of the Departmental Promotion Committee is illegal.

The petitioner further argued that the ANF Service Rules have been violated to abolish the promotion rights of existing employees while facilitating direct recruitment. He also raised concerns over the induction of officers on deputation from other institutions, urging the court to restore the service structure for civilian employees.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026