ISLAMABAD: The Establishment Division has issued a directive disqualifying officers who have been considered twice for promotion to BS-22 by the High Powered Selection Board (HPSB) but not recommended, from future promotion reviews. The move effectively blocks potential legal appeals for such officers, including those pursuing cases in the High Court.
Meanwhile, the Federal Services Tribunal (FST) has delayed the Central Selection Board (CSB) meeting, initially scheduled from March 10 to 13, 2025. This postponement arises amidst ongoing legal conflicts over seniority and promotion within the Customs Service. The FST has ordered respondents to comply with its previous judgments and provide a compliance report before resuming the meeting.
The postponed meeting was set to review promotions from BS-20 to BS-21 for Customs Service employees. However, disputes over seniority lists and promotion criteria have complicated the process. The seniority list issued on June 14, 2022, has been declared by the FST as inconsistent with both its prior rulings and a Supreme Court verdict.
The legal battle traces back to a 2019 Supreme Court judgment that upheld the un-amended Occupational Groups & Services Rules of 1990. These rules prioritize candidates who pass the Specialized Training Program (STP) exam on their first attempt in the seniority rankings. A subsequent seniority list issued in 2022 has since faced legal challenges, with the Tribunal ordering a revision to align with court rulings.
Amid the delay, the appellant’s counsel has filed a petition seeking the suspension of the scheduled promotions pending resolution of the seniority dispute. The FST has not yet ruled on the petition but is set to review a new compliance report and seniority list at its adjourned hearing on March 10, 2025.
The implications of this ongoing legal conflict are significant for Customs Service employees, many of whom remain in limbo as the case continues to unfold.