Decision to dissolve Pakistan Tobacco Board challenged

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) was moved on Friday against the federal government’s decision to dissolve the Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) and transfer its authority to the provinces.

A two-member bench issued notices to the concerned parties, seeking their responses on two separate writ petitions filed against the decision.The bench, comprising Justice SM Atiq Shah and Justice Inamullah, heard the petitions submitted by PTB officials and retired employees from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Advocates Amir Javed and Barrister Saqib Raza represented the petitioners in court.More than 50 petitioners, including PTB Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Secretary Fakhruddin and Director Ismatullah, argued that they hold positions from Grade 9 to Grade 19 within the PTB, which was established under the Pakistan Tobacco Board Ordinance 1968 and operated under federal jurisdiction.

They contended that the federal cabinet’s decision on January 1, 2025, to dissolve the board and delegate its powers to the provinces was unconstitutional and illegal.Amir Javed stated that the decision would adversely impact thousands of serving and retired employees. Retired employees, including petitioner Khan Faraz, argued that dissolving the board without proper legislation violated Articles 142, 154, 268, 270, and 270A of the Constitution.

The petitioners emphasized that the government was responsible for ensuring job security and that the decision compromised their rights. They warned that a large number of pensioners would suffer from the move and urged the court to prevent any amendments to pension rules.

The petitioners requested the court to halt the board’s transfer process until a final verdict was reached and to prevent the government from withholding salaries or taking adverse actions against them.

The writ petitions named the federal establishment secretary, cabinet secretary, law and justice secretary, and the chairman of the Pakistan Tobacco Board as respondents. Following initial arguments, the court issued notices to all parties, seeking their responses.