Supreme Court reinstates ban on govt jobs, uplift schemes

KARACHI: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Saturday suspended a ruling of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that set aside the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) notification through which it imposed a ban on recruitment in government departments and development works by the federal and provincial governments.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, reinstated the ban on recruitment in all government institutions and the launch of new uplift schemes.

The apex court gave this verdict on an appeal filed by the electoral body through which it challenged the May 10 verdict handed down by the high court.

The bench allowed the federal and provincial governments to complete their ongoing development schemes and barred them from launching new ones.

It also allowed the authorities to recruit doctors and paramedical staff, if need be.

During hearing at the Karachi registry, the Election Commissioner Sindh contended that the ban was aimed to ensure fair elections.

The top court had earlier directed the IHC to hear and decide within a week petitions challenging the ECP ban.

The Commission banned fresh government jobs and uplift schemes with effect from April 01. All federal and provincial authorities were subsequently issued directives to strictly comply with the restrictions.

It added the ban is aimed to ensure transparency in the general elections scheduled in July this year.