PESHAWAR, Jan 2: The Peshawar High Court has dismissed a writ petition filed by a former investigation officer of the National Accountability Bureau challenging his removal.

A single bench comprising Justice Shahjehan Khan Yousafzai observed that the petitioner, Ziaullah Khan, was appointed on contract basis and his removal was not illegal.

The petitioner’s counsel contended that he was appointed investigation officer on contract basis along with scores of other officers. He added that later on the services of other officers were regularised whereas the petitioner was not regularised and after completion of his contract period he was removed from service.

The counsel contended that the authorities had discriminated against him and he was also entitled to regularisation of service.

The state counsel argued that he was appointed on contract basis and his services were acquired for a specific period. He argued that after expiry of that period it was the prerogative of the authorities either to extend his service or not. As his services were no longer required to NAB, he added, therefore, his contract period was not extended. —Bureau report