FPSC begins scrutiny of thousands of officers

ISLAMABAD: In the light of Supreme Court’s decision, the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has started scrutinising regularisation of all officers of Grade-16 and above on the recommendation of cabinet sub-committee.

The FPSC is determining fitness and eligibility of these regularised officers. It has set a 100-mark test. The officer, who scores 40 marks, is declared successful. After this, the board conducts interviews and successful candidates are declared eligible. Failed candidates are declared ineligible.

A number of candidates have failed to get 40pc marks. This exercise has made future of hundreds of officers, who were regularised in 2012 and 2013 on the recommendation of Khursheed Shah Committee, uncertain.

According to sources, 14 ministries and federal departments have so far sent 897 such cases to the FPSC in compliance with the SC’s order. However, many ministries have not yet sent the cases due to political pressure.

This violates the orders of SC and Establishment Division. Cases of several sub-departments in the Ministry of Health fall under this category, but so far only two institutions have sent the cases. The Ministry of Health has not yet sent the cases of National TB Programme, PIMS and Polyclinic to FPSC.

The SC had pronounced its verdict on September 13, 2024 on the petitions filed by Mohsin Raza Gondal and others.

The SC in its decision held cabinet sub-committee does not have the authority to regularise officers of BS-16 and above. This authority belongs to FPSC. All such cases should be sent to the FPSC, the decision said.

The Establishment Division, after taking the opinion of Ministry of Law and Justice, sent an Office Memorandum (OM) to all ministries, divisions and federal departments on March 19, 2025. It directed them to ensure implementation of the SC’s decision.

The process was delayed due to pressure from the affected officers. But now, ministries concerned have started sending such cases to FPSC. These officers are now holding high positions and have also got promotions.

Sources in the commission said so far 897 cases have been received from 14 ministries and departments for regularisation.

Of the departments whose cases were received, 21 are from FIA; 2 from Ministry of Human Rights (Helpline); 25 from Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment; 2 from National Police Foundation; 9 from Federal Medical College; 551 from Ministry of Education and Vocational Training; 2 from Cabinet Division; 199 from Immigration and Passport; 3 from Ministry of Food Security and 19 from FBR.

The cases include 32 from Federal General Hospital. The Establishment Division, in its response to a letter by Ministry of Education on July 3 this month, said it had directed all ministries and divisions to ensure implementation of SC’s decision.

The Establishment Division’s position is that until the appointment of these officers is revalidated by FPSC, they cannot be promoted or given seniority.

The affected officers had made a fake notification from the Establishment Division viral on social media, which was denied. The reason for this viral fake notification is stated to be officers’ fear they might fail the test and interview.