The Islamabad High Court has struck down a government regulation that permanently barred senior bureaucrats from promotion to BS-22 after two deferrals or rejections, ruling the policy unconstitutional.
Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas issued the decision while hearing petitions against the “Reconsideration Amendment” (SRO 255(I)/2025), which had automatically disqualified officers from future promotion consideration after two unsuccessful attempts.
The court found the rule irrational and in violation of due process, noting that deferrals could occur for administrative reasons, including incomplete service records, training assignments, or lack of vacancies. Treating such delays as evidence of unsuitability was deemed unconstitutional.
The ruling arose from petitions by seven BS-21 officers denied promotion. Among them, M Aamir Zulfiqar Khan of the Police Service of Pakistan had been kept on an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) posting without responsibilities since 2023, while Owais Nauman Kundi received unexplained adverse remarks despite a solid service record.
The court upheld other amendments, including allowing Ishaq Dar to chair the High Powered Selection Board (HPSB) and approved consultation with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Khawaja Asif.
Authorities were ordered to reconsider the petitioners’ promotions using transparent criteria, communicate any adverse findings within 14 days, assign M. Aamir Zulfiqar Khan a suitable posting within 30 days, and consider Sohail Ali Khan of the Information Group for a proforma promotion.
