SC questions KP Services Tribunal’s verdict

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday raised questions over a verdict delivered by the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) Services Tribunal approving pension and other benefits to a public servant who remained absent from duty for 18 years.

A two-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed declared void an order passed by the KP Services Tribunal approving pension and other benefits to an employee of the provincial government despite the fact that he remained absent from his duty for 18 years.

The court, while accepting the appeal of the provincial government against the Services Tribunal verdict, observed that even service of 25 years should be mandatory if someone gets forcibly retired.

As per the case, one Muhammad Riaz of Provincial Education Department who remained absent from his duty for 18 years was granted pension and other benefits after sending him on forced retirement.

The court raised questions over the order passed by Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) Services Tribunal approving pension and other benefits to a public servant who remained absent from duty for some 18 years.

Justice Ijazul Ahsen questioned as to how an employee could be allowed to join his duty after remaining absent for 18 years.

Counsel for Muhammad Riaz, while defending the order passed by the KP Service Tribunal, submitted that his client had worked for 14 years hence he should be benefited for the service he had rendered.

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, however, observed that he was not entitled to get benefit for 14-year service.

Meanwhile, the court after granting leave to appeal to KP government declared null and void the verdict of Services Tribunal.