ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Arbab Mohammad Tahir on Friday recused himself from hearing a petition filed by section officers serving on deputation who challenged the decision to repatriate them to their respective provinces, expressing displeasure over alleged attempts to influence the proceedings.

During the hearing, Advocate Raja Aleem Abbasi appeared on behalf of the petitioners. Justice Tahir expressed strong displeasure, observing that the petitioners had allegedly sought recommendations and arranged telephone calls to him in connection with the case.

“You seek recommendations and have people call me; your work will not get done this way. This is wrong and inappropriate,” the judge remarked, adding that approaching a judge in this manner was unacceptable.

The petitioners’ counsel told the court that the section officers, who were primarily teachers serving on deputation, had challenged the decision regarding their repatriation to their respective provinces.

He submitted that the petitioners had also challenged the relevant notification and sought their regularisation and absorption into the Office Management Group (OMG). Justice Tahir observed that the nature of the petition might be as explained by the counsel, but attempts to approach him through telephone calls were inappropriate.

The judge subsequently recused himself from hearing the matter and forwarded the case file to the chief justice’s office for the constitution of a new bench.

The petitioners include Khalid Mehmood, Mohammad Arif, Dilshad Ahmed, Saeed Chaudhry, Dr Mohammad Ismail and Najibullah.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2026