ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued an order to temporarily prevent the Federal Police from finalizing the recruitment of officers from other provinces under a 50% quota.
During a session led by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiani, the court permitted the recruitment process for the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police to continue but restricted the finalization of results for the 50% quota allocated to candidates from other provinces. However, candidates holding an Islamabad domicile are allowed to have their results declared.
This interim ruling responded to a petition by Barrister SM Yawar Gurdizi, who argued that Article 25 of the Constitution, which ensures equality, supports the view that Islamabad, as a federal unit, should possess unique recruitment privileges. The petitioner maintained that residents of other provinces should seek employment within their regions, while Islamabad residents should have opportunities within the capital.
The court has requested detailed responses from all involved parties by the next hearing on September 23. Additionally, the Attorney General and Advocate General of Islamabad have been summoned to assist the court with this matter.
The petitioner has advocated for the elimination of the quota system for other provinces in federal institutions, specifically for positions in grades 1 to 15, and has requested that posts for residents of Islamabad be allocated in grades 16 to 22 within federal government entities. The petition also seeks to remove quotas for other provinces in the subordinate judiciary and the ICT police.
