PHC seeks comments in employees’ dismissal case

ABBOTTABAD: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) ‘s Abbottabad Bench has sought comments from the secretary Home & Tribal Affairs and the Inspector General of Prisons within a fortnight while hearing a writ petition challenging the removal of 58 employees of the Prisons Department under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Employees (Removal from Service) Act 2025.

The terminated employees, who were appointed as warders in BPS-7 under the prioritized quota of ex-servicemen, claimed that their removal from service was against the law and fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 18 and 25 of the Constitution.

Umman Ayub Advocate appeared on behalf of the petitioners. He argued that the impugned Act and notifications issued by the respondents were arbitrary and liable to be struck down.The court directed secretary of Home and Tribal Affairs, KP and Inspector General of Prisons to submit their comments within a two-week time and clubbed the case with W.P.No.326-A/2025 and adjourned it to a later date, with notices issued to the respondents.

The petitioners were appointed as Warders (Male) in BPS-07 in November 2023 after fulfilling the criteria laid down by the department and undergoing medical and police verification.They were removed from service through notifications dated March 12 this year, after the passage of the KPK Employees (Removal from Service) Act 2025.

The petitioners have sought reinstatement in their original positions with all back benefits.They also pray for the KP Employees (Removal from Service) Act 2025 to be struck down as ultra vires and against the fundamental rights of citizens.