LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday sought replies from the federal government and other respondents on a petition against deferring departmental promotion committee’s meeting scheduled to take up promotion of railways’ employees allegedly at the behest of Federal Minister Azam Swati.

Representing the petitioners/employees, Advocate Shoaib Saleem argued that the meeting of departmental promotion committee was postponed on the direction of Federal Minister for Railways Azam Swati just one day before its scheduled time.

He said no logical and legal reasoning had been given for the deferment of the meeting.

On the other hand, the counsel said, many other employees of the railways were given promotions denying the same right to the petitioners who worked in audit and accounts department.

He pointed out that the government rendered all the audit and accounts department employees of railways to surplus pool without adopting any lawful process.

He said the services of the employees had been put at the disposal of the Establishment Division.

The counsel argued all petitioners had their inalienable right as per articles 4 and 25 of the Constitution to be treated as per law. He said the petitioners’ right to promotion had already been established and approved by the railways and denying the same would be a violation of their fundamental rights.

Justice Jawad Hassan issued notices to the federal secretary of railways, secretary establishment and controller general of accounts besides the railways for submission of their replies.

The hearing was adjourned till Dec 9.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2021