LAHORE: The Punjab government has approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging a ban imposed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on fresh recruitment in all government departments of the country ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
The Punjab chief secretary through a lawyer filed the constitutional petition, challenging the restrictions on recruitment of public servants.
In the petition, the top provincial bureaucrat argued that the electoral body can not restrain the executive authorities from performing their duties in the line with the country’s Constitution.
The restrictions have adversely impacted the working of the government departments in Punjab, he added.
The petitioner contended that it is imperative to have a required workforce for the smooth discharge of administrative duties.
He, therefore, pleaded with the court to set aside the ECP’s notification with regard to the ban.
On April 11, the electoral body banned fresh government jobs with effect from April 01. All federal and provincial authorities were issued directives to strictly comply with the restrictions, according to a statement issued by the ECP.
It added that the ban is aimed to ensure transparency in the general elections scheduled around August this year and discourage pre-polling rigging by offering incentives such as jobs.
 challenging a ban imposed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on fresh recruitment in all government departments of the country ahead of the forthcoming general elections. ){kind=link}