Army officers’ induction in civil service challenged in PHC

PESHAWAR: The direct induction of army officers in the civil service of Pakistan was challenged in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Saturday.

Filed by Ali Azim Afridi advocate, the writ has challenged the Rule 3 of the Civil Service of Pakistan 1954 under which the army officers are being inducted in the civil service without test and interview.

Federal Ministry of Law and Justice, Secretary Establishment, Islamabad, provincial Ministry of Law and Justice, principal secretary to president, principal secretary to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor, chairman Federal Public Service Commission have made respondents.

The writ has requested the court to declare these rules null and void and illegal the recruitment of army officers in the civil service.

It said that officers joined the civil service after passing the test and interview conducted by the Federal Public Service Commission and its recommendation.

However, the army officers are being inducted in the civil service only on the basis of their tests and interviews while there is a big difference in the background and training of civil and military services.

“There is no such mechanism for the lawyers and general public where they or their wards should be recruited in the civil service on the basis of their interviews,” the petition read, adding that such mechanism and facility should also be provided to the general public.

The petitioner has labelled the above-mentioned rules for induction of army officers in the civil service against the spirit of justice and fair play, requesting the court to declare them illegal and unconstitutional.