ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday restrained the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from announcing the results of its ongoing recruitment process until it decides a representation filed by a candidate challenging the recruitment test.

Justice Mohammad Azam Khan passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Yasir Arafat, who alleged that the recruitment test conducted by the FIA contained questions outside the prescribed syllabus.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Afrasiab Ahmed Rana, argued that the recruitment examination was not conducted in accordance with the notified syllabus.

He informed the court that the petitioner had submitted applications to the FIA on July 16 and 17, raising objections to the recruitment process, but no decision had been taken on those representations.

The counsel requested the court to direct the FIA to address the petitioner’s grievances before finalising the recruitment process and announcing the results.

After hearing the arguments, Justice Mohammad Azam Khan disposed of the petition with directions to the FIA to decide the petitioner’s applications before declaring the recruitment results.

In a written order issued later, the court clarified that it had not expressed any opinion on the merits of the controversy and that the competent FIA authorities should independently examine the petitioner’s objections. The order directed the FIA to provide the petitioner an opportunity of hearing and pass a detailed, reasoned order on his applications.

The court further instructed the agency to decide the representations on the basis of cogent reasons and complete the exercise before announcing the recruitment results.

The order effectively restrains the FIA from finalising the recruitment process until the petitioner’s grievances are adjudicated through a speaking order, ensuring that due process is followed before the results are made public.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2026