Court questions dismissal of prison staff
The court was hearing a writ petition challenging the removal of 58 employees of Prison department under the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Employees (Removal from Service) Act 2025.
The terminated employees who were appointed as Warders in BPS-07 under the prioritised quota of ex-service men, claim their removal from service is against the law and fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 18 and 25 of the Constitution.
Umman Ayub Advocate, on behalf of the petitioners, argued that the impugned Act and notifications issued by the respondents are arbitrary, fanciful, and perverse, and liable to be struck down.
The court directed the Secretary Home and Tribal Affairs and IG Prisons to submit their comments within a fortnight and clubbed the case with W P No326-A/2025 and adjourned to a later date, with notices issued to the respondents.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Express Tribune
MPAs close ranks to champion minorities
The Sindh Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution to mark National Minorities Day, with both treasury and opposition leaders affirming that the Constitution guarantees complete protection to minorities in Sindh and across Pakistan. The move, taken three days before Independence Day, was described as a reaffirmation that every citizen is assured freedom of religion and security of life and property. The session, held in the old Assembly building under the chair of Speaker Owais Qadir Shah, saw the resolution moved by Deputy Speaker Naveed Anthony. Earlier, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ziaul Hassan Lanjar had successfully sought suspension of other proceedings to allow debate on the motion. Speaking in favour, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah recalled the Assembly's historic role in passing the 1943 resolution in favour of Pakistan and hosting Quaid-e-Azam's 1947 address. He said observing Minorities Day before Independence Day underscored the guarantee of religious freedom and protection for all citizens. He noted Sindh's leading role in joining Pakistan, adding that its representatives would continue contributing to the country's unity and survival. Referring to Quaid-e-Azam's commitment to safeguarding minorities, Shah cited contributions by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. The CM also hoisted the national flag in the Assembly Hall. Opposition Leader Ali Khursheedi supported the resolution, urging all parties to respect its spirit. He cautioned against sectarian and ethnic bias, and highlighted the need for serious attention to public safety issues. Interior Minister Lanjar announced plans to establish minority desks headed by SSP-level officers at the Sindh Police headquarters and the IG's office. Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani said protection of non-Muslims dated back to the time of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Rashidun Caliphate. He emphasised that Islam prohibits harm to non-Muslims, adding that minorities in his constituency are treated with respect. Deputy Speaker Anthony noted that former president Asif Ali Zardari had initiated National Minorities Day in 2009, recalling Quaid-e-Azam's 11 August 1947 speech in which he symbolically represented minorities in the national flag through the white stripe. He proposed that the constitutional term 'minority' be removed to reflect equality. Former Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani stressed that the term is a constitutional provision that could only be changed in the National Assembly, and highlighted the PPP's record in granting minorities more than five per cent of government jobs. Speaker Shah announced that a symbolic session will be held on August 14, inviting special children as guests. MQM's Taha Ahmed Khan, PTI's Shabbir Qureshi, and MQM's Anil Kumar and Fauzia Hameed also backed the resolution. MQM members called for constitutional removal of the term 'minority' and reiterated the need for religious harmony. Anil Kumar said minorities enjoy all facilities in Pakistan, unlike in India. The House unanimously approved the resolution before adjourning the session.
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Assembly debate on security turns ugly
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly session convened on Monday to discuss the province's deteriorating law and order situation quickly descended into a heated exchange of accusations between the treasury and opposition benches, derailing any possibility of consensus on forming a parliamentary committee for peace. Lawmakers from both sides traded allegations, accusing one another of being "products of the establishment" and dredging up decades-old political history. Calls for constructive debate were repeatedly overshadowed by personal attacks and partisan jibes. During the discussion, Pakistan Peoples Party parliamentary leader Ahmad Karim Kundi criticised the government's handling of security, saying 'crocodile tears' would not resolve the crisis. He referenced statements by caretaker federal interior minister Mohsin Naqvi, who had accused the K-P chief minister of paying extortion money. "If the chief minister himself admits paying extortion, what can an ordinary citizen expect?" Kundi asked, demanding a parliamentary peace committee headed by the opposition leader. Kundi alleged that billions allocated under the NFC Award for counterterrorism had not been properly utilised, and accused the provincial leadership of privately courting the establishment while publicly claiming defiance. He further said those who once staged a 126-day sit-in on the orders of a military general were now criticising security institutions. Provincial Minister Dr Amjad Khan hit back, dismissing Naqvi as "unelected" and unqualified to comment on the chief minister. He questioned why the PPP government had failed to arrest Benazir Bhutto's killers and accused past governments of introducing terrorism to the region through drone strikes and militant patronage. PTI lawmaker Major (retd) Sajjad Khan said opposition parties had "nothing but lies and criticism," claiming PTI was the only party with representation nationwide. He accused federal coalition partners of supporting military operations in K-P, while fleeing from the provincial government's proposed All Parties Conference because they could not endorse PTI's stance. In a fiery speech, he also targeted K-P Governor, accusing him of spending his life "loitering in Islamabad's streets" and failing to perform gubernatorial duties. Speaker Babar Saleem Swati refused to expunge un-parliamentary remarks, saying live broadcasts should hold members accountable for their words. Earlier, MPA Dawood Shah Afridi lamented the province's worsening security since the PTI government's ouster, claiming the region had become peaceful under Imran Khan's tenure when drone strikes ceased. He alleged K-P and Balochistan faced oppression because of their mineral resources and power generation capacity. Lawmakers Yamin Khan and Malik Adeel opposed any new military operation in K-P, warning that pitting the army against the people would not bring peace. They linked unchecked corruption with the rise in terrorism and accused the opposition of seeking privileges rather than genuine reform.
Express Tribune
12 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Sindh Assembly unites for minorities' rights ahead of Independence Day
Listen to article The Sindh Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution to mark National Minorities Day, with both treasury and opposition leaders affirming that the Constitution guarantees complete protection to minorities in Sindh and across Pakistan. The move, taken three days before Independence Day, was described as a reaffirmation that every citizen is assured freedom of religion and security of life and property. The session, held in the old Assembly building under the chair of Speaker Owais Qadir Shah, saw the resolution moved by Deputy Speaker Naveed Anthony. Earlier, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ziaul Hassan Lanjar had successfully sought suspension of other proceedings to allow debate on the motion. Speaking in favour, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah recalled the Assembly's historic role in passing the 1943 resolution in favour of Pakistan and hosting Quaid-e-Azam's 1947 address. He said observing Minorities Day before Independence Day underscored the guarantee of religious freedom and protection for all citizens. He noted Sindh's leading role in joining Pakistan, adding that its representatives would continue contributing to the country's unity and survival. Referring to Quaid-e-Azam's commitment to safeguarding minorities, Shah cited contributions by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. The CM also hoisted the national flag in the Assembly Hall. Opposition Leader Ali Khursheedi supported the resolution, urging all parties to respect its spirit. He cautioned against sectarian and ethnic bias, and highlighted the need for serious attention to public safety issues. Lanjar announced plans to establish minority desks headed by SSP-level officers at the Sindh Police headquarters and the IG's office. Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani said protection of non-Muslims dated back to the time of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Rashidun Caliphate. He emphasised that Islam prohibits harm to non-Muslims, adding that minorities in his constituency are treated with respect. Deputy Speaker Anthony noted that former president Asif Ali Zardari had initiated National Minorities Day in 2009, recalling Quaid-e-Azam's 11 August 1947 speech in which he symbolically represented minorities in the national flag through the white stripe. He proposed that the constitutional term 'minority' be removed to reflect equality. Former Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani stressed that the term is a constitutional provision that could only be changed in the National Assembly, and highlighted the PPP's record in granting minorities more than five per cent of government jobs. Speaker Shah announced that a symbolic session will be held on August 14, inviting special children as guests. MQM's Taha Ahmed Khan, PTI's Shabbir Qureshi, and MQM's Anil Kumar and Fauzia Hameed also backed the resolution. MQM members called for constitutional removal of the term 'minority' and reiterated the need for religious harmony. Anil Kumar said minorities enjoy all facilities in Pakistan, unlike in India. The House unanimously approved the resolution before adjourning the session.
