LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday issued a fresh direction to its registrar office to provide a petitioner record of out-of-turn promotions, if any, in the high court establishment.

Justice Muhammad Anwarul Haq was hearing a petition filed by Assistant Registrar Muhammad Akmal Khan, alleging that many officers of the court had been occupying posts in the leverage of Rule 26 of the LHC Establishment Rules. The petitioner also claimed that he had been waiting for his promotion to next rank for last nine years.

The judge observed that the petition would be decided in the light of Supreme Court judgements.

The petitioner’s counsel argued that the petitioner was denied promotion despite his 24-year service in the LHC.

He alleged that some other officials appointed under Rule 26 were promoted to next ranks. He argued that as appointments under the Rule 26 were out-of-turn, the promotions too had the same status. He said it was a violation of SC judgments.

The counsel asked the court to stop further appointments, inductions and promotions till final disposal of the petition. He said the registrar office did not furnish details of the out-of-turn promotions despite the court order.

The hearing was adjourned till March 31.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2017