1993 S C M R 982

[Supreme Court of Pakistan]

Present: Ajmal Mian, Sajja Ali S!a! an Saleem Ak!tar, ""
A#SA$%&&A#A M'M($)))Appellant
*ersus
+(,'R$M'$- (. S/$0# t!rou1! C!ief Se2retar3,
an 3 ot!ers)))Responents
Civil Appeal No. 247-K of 1991, decided on 6th March, 1993.
(n appeal fro! the "#d$!ent of the %indh %ervice &ri'#nal dated 29-7-1991 pa((ed in Appeal
No. 97)*9+.
4a5 Sin! Ser*i2e -ri6unals A2t 47, of 19835))
----%. 4---%indh Civil %ervant( Act (,-. of 1973+, %/ 24---Con(tit#tion of 0a1i(tan (1973+, Art.
212(3+---2eave to appeal 3a( $ranted to e4a!ine the 5#e(tion( 3hether a civil (ervant a$$rieved
'6 notification 3hich adver(el6 affected hi( (eniorit6 in a partic#lar cadre had loc#( (tandi to
5#e(tion the validit6 of (#ch notification7 3hether the operation of (ection 4 of the %indh %ervice
&ri'#nal( Act 3a( not li!ited to onl6 a (eniorit6 li(t '#t al(o covered an6 other final order i((#ed
'6 the depart!ental a#thorit6 affectin$ the (eniorit6 of a civil (ervant7 and 3hether #nder (ection
24 of the %indh Civil %ervant( Act, the 0rovincial 8overn!ent co#ld not pa(( an6 order in
favo#r of a civil (ervant in violation of (tat#tor6 r#le( adver(el6 affectin$ the ri$ht( and
privile$e( of other civil (ervant( conferred '6 la3.
Per Ajmal Mian, "9: Saleem Ak!tar, "9 a1reein1: Sajja Ali S!a!, "9, Contra))
465 Sin! Ser*i2e -ri6unals A2t 47, of 19835))
----%(. 24, 2('+ 9 *---%indh Civil %ervant( (0ro'ation, Confir!ation and %eniorit6+ :#le(, 197;,
:. 1<(2+---%indh Civil %ervant( (Appoint!ent, 0ro!otion and &ran(fer+ :#le(, 1974, :. 4---&ill
the ti!e a dep#tationi(t 3a( a'(or'ed in the depart!ent, he did not en"o6 the (tat#( of a =civil
(ervant= 'ein$ not covered '6 the definition of =civil (ervant= $iven in %. 2('+ of the Act and %.
24 of the Act co#ld not 'e pre((ed into (ervice---%tat#( of a dep#tationi(t in the >epart!ent 3a(
that of an ad hoc appointee or a te!porar6 appointee, therefore he co#ld not have 'een
confir!ed retro(pectivel6---Appellant 3ho 3a( ad!ittedl6 affected adver(el6 a( to hi( pro(pect(
of f#t#re pro!otion had (#fficient loc#( (tandi to in(i(t that 8overn!ent (ho#ld act in
accordance .3ith la3 and :#le( and not in contravention thereof a( to affect hi! adver(el6 in
p#rported e4erci(e of it( plenar6 po3er #nder %.24 of the Act---%cope of %(. * 9 24 di(c#((ed--
2i!itation( on the e4erci(e of po3er( #nder %. 24 hi$hli$hted.
-n the pre(ent ca(e. re(pondent 3ho 3a( a ?niver(it6 e!plo6ee 3a( ta1en on dep#tation for a
period of t3o 6ear( and, therefore, he 3a( in the @d#cation >epart!ent on te!porar6 and ad hoc
'a(i( till the ti!e he 3a( to 'e per!anentl6 a'(or'ed.
-f re(pondent (3ho 3a( ori$inall6 the e!plo6ee of ?niver(it6+ 3a( to 'e per!anentl6 a'(or'ed
in 8rade-1* po(t, the nor!al proced#re for appoint!ent 3a( thro#$h 0#'lic %ervice
Co!!i((ion. A( re(pondentA( (tat#( a( dep#tationi(t in the @d#cation >epart!ent 3a( of an ad
hoc appointee or a te!porar6 appointee, he co#ld not have 'een confir!ed retro(pectivel6, in
vie3 of cla#(e (2+ of :#le 1< of the :#le( of 197;. No do#'t #nder (ection 24 of the Act, the
8overn!ent en"o6( plenar6 po3er to deal 3ith the ca(e of an6 civil (ervant in (#ch !anner a(
!a6 appear to it to 'e "#(t and e5#ita'le not3ith(tandin$ an6 provi(ion of the Act and the :#le(.
B#t the a'ove po3er i( to 'e e4erci(ed fairl6, rea(ona'l6 and in a !anner 3hich !a6 not
pre"#dice or ta1e a3a6 an6 intere(t or ri$ht of a third per(on. &ill the ti!e re(pondent 3a(
a'(or'ed per!anentl6 thro#$h the notification he did not en"o6 the (tat#( of a civil (ervant a( he
3a( not covered '6 the definition of =civil (ervant= $iven in cla#(e ('+ of (ection 2 of the Act,
'ein$ a dep#tationi(t and, therefore, till then, (ection 24 co#ld not have 'een pre((ed into (ervice
a( it referred to a civil (ervant and not to a per(on 3ho 3a( an e!plo6ee of a corporate 'od6 li1e
a ?niver(it6.
:e(pondent in hi( fir(t application did not re5#e(t for hi( a'(orption in the @d#cation >epart!ent
3ith retro(pective effect. %i!ilarl6, in the (#!!ar6 placed 'efore the then Chief Mini(ter, it 3a(
not reco!!ended that re(pondent 'e a'(or'ed 3ith retro(pective effect. Con(e5#entl6, the
notification a'(or'ed re(pondent in the @d#cation >epart!ent 3ith i!!ediate effect and not
retro(pectivel6. :e(pondent did not prote(t or !a1e clai! for $ettin$ hi!(elf a'(or'ed
retro(pectivel6 till the filin$ of hi( application after the e4pir6 of nearl6 three 6ear(, to the then
Chief Mini(ter %indh. &he a'ove application 3a( not entertaina'le after the e4pir6 of (#ch a lon$
period. &he (#!!ar6 prepared on the 'a(i( of the a'ove application apparentl6 did not reflect
correct fact#al po(ition ina(!#ch a( it had 'een (tated in the (a!e that =&hi( had definitel6
placed appellant in a di(advanta$eo#( po(ition, 'eca#(e !ean3hile (o!e "#nior A((i(tant
@n$ineer( of the >epart!ent 3ho, at the ti!e of re(pondentA( ind#ction in @d#cation >epart!ent
3ere not eli$i'le for pro!otion on acco#nt of their not havin$ rendered the pre(cri'ed len$th of
(ervice i.e. ; 6ear( 3herea( re(pondent 3a( alread6 in B-1* 3hen he "oined the @d#cation
>epart!ent=.
Cact#all6 the appellant had co!pleted hi( five 6ear( (ervice a( he 3a( appointed a( A((i(tant
@4ec#tive @n$ineer in 8rade-17 thro#$h the 0#'lic %ervice Co!!i((ion and, therefore, he 3a(
ver6 !#ch eli$i'le for pro!otion 3hen re(pondent 3a( ta1en on dep#tation. &here 3a( al(o no
fo#ndation to !a1e aver!ent in the a'ove (#!!ar6 that the >epart!ent intended initiall6 to
a'(or' re(pondent retro(pectivel6 a( neither re(pondent in hi( a'ove application 3hich 3a( filed
after e4pir6 of a'o#t fo#r !onth( fro! havin$ "oined a( a dep#tationi(t, clai!ed a'(orption
retro(pectivel6 nor thi( 3a( (o (tated in the a'ove fir(t (#!!ar6. &he e4erci(e of po3er '6 the
8overn!ent #nder (ection 24 of the Act in the pre(ent ca(e co#ld not 'e treated a( "#(t, fair and
e5#ita'le. -t i( tr#e that in (ection * of the Act it ha( 'een provided that a civil (ervant ha( no
ve(ted ri$ht in the (eniorit6. &he 5#e(tion in the pre(ent ca(e 3a( not (i!pliciter fi4ation of
(eniorit6 inter (e 'et3een the appellant and re(pondent '#t the point in i((#e 3a(, a( to 3hether
re(pondent co#ld have 'een per!anentl6 a'(or'ed in the @d#cation >epart!ent 3ith
retro(pective effect '6 virt#e of (ection 24 of the Act, 3hich ad!ittedl6 had adver(el6 affected
the appellant a( to hi( pro(pect( of f#t#re pro!otion. &he appellant !a6 not have an6 ve(ted
ri$ht in a partic#lar (eniorit6 in vie3 of (ection * of the Act '#t neverthele((, he had (#fficient
loc#( (tandi to in(i(t #pon that the 8overn!ent (ho#ld act in accordance 3ith %ervice
2a3():#le( and not in contravention thereof a( to affect hi! adver(el6, in p#rp9ted e4erci(e of
it( plenar6 po3er #nder (ection 24 of the Act.
&he e4erci(e of po3er '6 the 8overn!ent #nder (ection 24 of the Act for a'(or'in$ re(pondent
3ith retro(pective effect after the e4pir6 of nearl6 three 6ear( therefore 3a( not 3arranted '6
fact( and la3.
&he e4erci(e of po3er '6 the 8overn!ent #nder (ection 24 of the Act after the e4pir6 of !ore
than three 6ear( fro! the date of i((#ance of notification a'(or'in$ re(pondent 3ith i!!ediate
effect for $ivin$ retro(pective a'(orption 3a( not 3arranted '6 fact( and la3. &he fact#! that
re(pondent had 'eco!e @4ec#tive @n$ineer in the ?niver(it6 or that he 3a( 'ro#$ht on
dep#tation in the @d#cation >epart!ent a( an @4ec#tive @n$ineer (8rade-1*+ 3hen the appellant
3a( onl6 A((i(tant @4ec#tive @n$ineer in 8rade-17 3a( of no con(e5#ence, a( ad!ittedl6 the
appellant "oined a( an A((i(tant @4ec#tive @n$ineer, in the ?niver(it6, a'o#t t3o 3ee1( 'efore
re(pondent had "oined the other ?niver(it6. C#rther!ore, the appellant "oined the @d#cation
>epart!ent on re$#lar 'a(i( thro#$h the 0#'lic %ervice Co!!i((ion and, therefore, in nor!al
co#r(e, #pon the e4pir6 of five 6ear( period the appellant had 'eco!e eli$i'le for pro!otion a(
@4ec#tive @n$ineer in 8rade-1* a( five 6ear( len$th of (ervice had 'een treated a( the
re5#ire!ent for pro!otion in the t3o (#!!arie( placed 'efore the then Chief Mini(ter.
Do3ever, he 3a( act#all6 pro!oted a( @4ec#tive @n$ineer 'efore re(pondent 3a( per!anentl6
a'(or'ed in the @d#cation >epart!ent #pon hi( application. &ill re(pondent 3a( per!anentl6
a'(or'ed in the @d#cation >epart!ent, he had no lien or ri$ht in the @d#cation >epart!ent
e4cept a( a dep#tationi(t lia'le to 'e reverted 'ac1 #pon the e4pir6 of t3o 6ear( period or earlier
in ca(e it 3a( (o decided '6 the co!petent a#thorit6. :e(pondentA( ca(e 3a( not a ca(e of
hard(hip '#t he vol#ntaril6 opted to "oin the @d#cation >epart!ent. &he 8overn!ent i( free to
$rant an6 'enefit to re(pondent #nder (ection 24 of the Act (o lon$ a( e4erci(e of (#ch po3er i(
"#(t and e5#ita'le and it doe( not, in an6 3a6, affect or pre"#dice a third per(on.
:e(pondentA( a'(orption in the @d#cation >epart!ent 3ith retro(pective effect 3a( therefore
declared a( not (#(taina'le in la3.
M#ha!!ad -5'al Kho1har and 3 other( v. &he 8overn!ent of the 0#n"a' thro#$h the %ecretar6
to 8overn!ent of the 0#n"a', 2ahore and 2 other( 02> 1991 %C 3; and %. Da'i' Daider v. &he
%ecretar6-8eneral, Mini(tr6 of -nterior, -(la!a'ad and 14 other( 1991 %CM: 1;<; ref.
Capt. (:etd.+ A'd#l Ea66#!, @4ec#tive @n$ineer v. M#ha!!ad -5'al Kho1har and 4 other(
02> 1992 %C 1*4 di(tin$#i(hed.
Per Sajja Ali S!a!9 "9, Contra9)
M#1htar Ah!ed and other( v. 8overn!ent of Fe(t 0a1i(tan 02> 1971 %C *46 and -5an Ah!ed
Kh#rra! v. 8overn!ent of 0a1i(tan 02> 19*< %C 1;3 di(tin$#i(hed.
%. Da'i' Daider v. &he %ecretar6-8eneral, Mini(tr6 of -nterior, -(la!a'ad and 14 other( 1991
%CM: 1;<;7 M#ha!!ad -5'al Kho1har and other( v. &he 8overn!ent of the 0#n"a' 02> 1991
%C 3;7 ?niver(it6 of Balochi(tan v. %aeed M#ha!!ad Khan and other( 19*6 %CM: 1<637
-(la!ic :ep#'lic of 0a1i(tan v. -(rar#l Da5 and other( 02> 19*1 %C ;31 and MaGhar Ali v.
Cederation of 0a1i(tan 1992 %CM: 43; ref.
A'd#l DafeeG Me!on, Advocate %#pre!e Co#rt in(tr#cted '6 Mr(. Ma"ida :aGvi,
Advocate-on-:ecord for Appellant.
Mr. A.8. Man$i, Addl. A/ 8. %indh for :e(pondent( No(. 1 to 3.
Mr. Ca1hr#ddin 8. @'rahi!, Advocate %#pre!e Co#rt in(tr#cted '6 Mr. N.C. Motiani,
Advocate-on-:ecord for :e(pondent No. 4.
>ate of hearin$/ 6th Ma6, 1992.
"%0+M'$-
SA""A0 A&/ S#A#, "9))-&hi( appeal 3ith leave i( directed a$ain(t "#d$!ent dated 29th H#l6,
1991 of the %indh %ervice &ri'#nal at Karachi, 3here'6 Appeal No. 97 of 19*9 filed '6
appellant herein i( di(!i((ed, in 3hich Notification dated 22-6-19*9 3a( challen$ed 3here'6
re(pondent No. 4 ha( 'een per!anentl6 a'(or'ed a( @4ec#tive @n$ineer in the >irectorate of
@n$ineerin$ For1( of @d#cation >epart!ent of 8overn!ent of %indh 3ith effect fro!
31-7-19*;.
2. Briefl6 (tated the relevant fact( $ivin$ ri(e to thi( appeal are that appellant 3a( (ervin$ a(
A((i(tant @n$ineer (B%-17+ in %indh A$ric#lt#ral ?niver(it6, &ando Ha!, 3hen hi( (ervice( 3ere
placed at the di(po(al of 8overn!ent of %indh (re(pondent No. 1+ and he 3a( po(ted a( 0ro"ect
A((i(tant @n$ineer (B%-17+ in the &hird @d#cation 0ro"ect, @d#cation >epart!ent, 8overn!ent
of %indh, D6dera'ad, in 1979. %#'(e5#entl6, hi( (ervice( 3ere re$#lari(ed vide Notification
dated 14-7-19*<. After approval fro! >epart!ental 0ro!otion Co!!ittee appellant 3a(
pro!oted a( @4ec#tive @n$ineer (B%-1*+ 3ith effect fro! 2n-11-19*;. Mr. A1'er D#((ain
:a(hidi (to 'e referred hereafter a( re(pondent No. 4+ 3a( alread6 3or1in$ a( @4ec#tive
@n$ineer (B%-1*+ 3ith %indh ?niver(it6, 3hen vide Notification dated 11-*-19*;, hi( (ervice(
3ere placed at the di(po(al of 8overn!ent of %indh on dep#tation for a period of t3o 6ear(.
2ater vide Notification dated *-4-19*6, re(pondent No. 4 3a( a'(or'ed per!anentl6 in the
(ervice '6 the 8overn!ent of %indh 3ith i!!ediate effect. 8rievance of the appellant i( that he
3a( pro!oted a( @4ec#tive @n$ineer (B%-1*+ '6 8overn!ent of %indh on 22-11-19*; and in the
(a!e cadre re(pondent No. 4 3a( confir!ed 3ith i!!ediate effect a( @4ec#tive @n$ineer
(B%-1*+ on *-4-19*6, hence re(pondent No. 4 ran1ed "#nior to the appellant and hi( na!e
appeared in the (eniorit6 li(t of @4ec#tive @n$ineer( (B%-1*+ in the @d#cation >epart!ent at
%.No. 4, 3hile na!e of appellant appeared a( %.No. 1. %#'(e5#entl6 re(pondent No. 4 3a( $iven
(eniorit6 3ith retro(pective effect '6 the Chief Mini(ter of %indh and vide Notification dated
22-6I-19*9, he ha( 'een a'(or'ed per!anentl6 a( =@4ec#tive @n$ineer in the @d#cation
>epart!ent 3ith effect fro! 31-7-19*;, 3hich 3a( the date of hi( "oinin$ @d#cation >epart!ent
a( dep#tation( and not a( a civil (ervant. 8overn!ent of %indh circ#lated tentative (eniorit6 li(t
(ho3in$ re(pondent No. 4 (enior to the appellant. Ceelin$ a$$rieved a$ain(t the retro(pective
a'(orption in (ervice of re(pondent No. 4, appellant filed revie3 petition to the Chief Mini(ter
and on $ettin$ no re(pon(e 3ithin the (tip#lated ti!e filed appeal 'efore %indh %ervice &ri'#nal
a$ain(t 8overn!ent of %indh and their f#nctionarie( and re(pondent No. 4, 3hich i( di(!i((ed in
ter!( (tated a'ove.
3. :e(pondent No. 4 in the 3ritten (tate!ent filed 'efore %ervice &ri'#nal, too1 #p the (tand that
3hen hi( (ervice( 3ere tran(ferred to the 8overn!ent of %indh he 3a( alread6 3or1in$ in
8rade-1* and at that ti!e appellant 3a( 3or1in$ in 8rade-17. Notification dated *th April, 19*6
a'(or'in$ re(pondent No. 4 in the >irectorate of @d#cation a( @4ec#tive @n$ineer 3ith
i!!ediate effect 3a( 3ithdra3n and cancelled a( (#ch created no ri$ht in favo#r of appellant.
No (eniorit6 li(t for 8rade-1* had 'een p#'li(hed, therefore, appellant co#ld not have ca#(e of
action to invo1e "#ri(diction of %ervice &ri'#nal. :etro(pective a'(orption of re(pondent No. 4
ha( co!plete cover and protection #nder (ection 24 of %indh Civil %ervant( Act, 1973. Cro!
11th A#$#(t, 19*; he 3a( relieved fro! ?niver(it6 of %indh and fro! that da6 he had 'eco!e
civil (ervant and, therefore, Notification( i((#ed in hi( favo#r '6 the 8overn!ent of %indh 3ere
proper and valid.
4. 8overn!ent of %indh, Chief %ecretar6 and %ecretar6, @d#cation >epart!ent, i!pleaded
'efore %ervice &ri'#nal a( re(pondent(, filed "oint 3ritten (tate!ent a( (#pported 3holeheartedl6
ca(e of re(pondent No. 4.
Accordin$ to the! d#e to (horta$e of @4ec#tive @n$ineer( and e4perienced hand( in their
depart!ent, (ervice( of re(pondent No. 4, alread6 3or1in$ a( @4ec#tive @n$ineer (B%-1*+ 'ein$
an e4perienced hand 3ere o'tained fro! ?niver(it6 of %indh for po(tin$ in the (a!e $rade on
dep#tation for t3o 6ear(. De "oined their depart!ent on 31-7-19*;. Bein$ (ati(fied 3ith hi(
perfor!ance, >epart!ent reco!!ended to the Chief Mini(ter for hi( per!anent a'(orption, '#t
'6 !i(ta1e Notification dated *-4-19*6 3a( i((#ed a'(or'in$ hi! 3ith i!!ediate effect. Cre(h
(#!!ar6 3a( prepared '6 the %ecretar6, @d#cation >epart!ent, 3hich 3a( (#'!itted to the
Chief Mini(ter thro#$h Chief %ecretar6. &he Chief Mini(ter 3a( plea(ed to approve a'(orption of
re(pondent No. 4 fro! 31-7-19*;, 3hen he "oined @d#cation >epart!ent and in the re(#lt earlier
Notification dated *-4-19*6 a'(or'in$ hi! 3ith i!!ediate effect 3a( cancelled.
;. &he %ervice &ri'#nal ha( concl#ded in the i!p#$ned "#d$!ent that appeal 3a( pre!at#re for
the rea(on that Notification i!p#$ned in the appeal onl6 provided for per!anent a'(orption of
re(pondent No. 4 3ith 3hich appellant 3a( not directl6 concerned and it did not violate hi( ter!(
and condition( of (ervice. %econdl6, if '6 the i!p#$ned notification, (eniorit6 of appellant 3a(
affected, then con(e5#ential (eniorit6 li(t 3a( not in the field, 3hich co#ld have 'een challen$ed.
%ervice &ri'#nal then proceeded to e4a!ine the ca(e in detail on !erit( and in the final anal6(i(
ha( di(!i((ed the appeal.
6. 2eave ha( 'een $ranted to e4a!ine the follo3in$ contention(/--
=(1+ A civil (ervant a$$rieved '6 notification 3hich adver(el6 affect( hi( (eniorit6 in a partic#lar
cadre ha( loc#( (tandi to 5#e(tion the validit6 of (#ch notification.
(2+ &he operation of (ection 4 of the %indh %ervice &ri'#nal( Act i( not li!ited to onl6 a
(eniorit6 li(t '#t cover( an6 other final order i((#ed '6 the >epart!ental a#thorit6 affectin$ the
(eniorit6 of a civil (ervant.
(3+ ?nder (ection 24 of the %indh Civil %ervant( Act, the 0rovincial 8overn!ent cannot pa(( an6
order in favo#r of a civil (ervant in violation of (tat#tor6 r#le( adver(el6 affectin$ the ri$ht( and
privile$e( of other civil (ervant( conferred '6 la3.=
7. Fe have heard at len$th Mr. A'd#l DafeeG Me!on, learned A%C for the appellant, Mr. A'd#l
8hafoor Man$i, learned AA.-8. for official re(pondent( and Mr. Ca1hr#ddin 8. @'rahi!,
learned A%C for re(pondent No. 4.
*. Cir(t contention noted in the leave $rantin$ order i( that a civil (ervant ha( loc#( (tandi to
challen$e notification 3hich adver(el6 affect( hi( (eniorit6 in a partic#lar cadre. &hi( contention
i( to 'e e4a!ined in the li$ht of findin$ of %ervice &ri'#nal that in the a'(ence of (eniorit6 li(t,
ca#(e of action doe( not accr#e to the appellant and on that $ro#nd hi( appeal 3a( pre!at#re. Fe
have read caref#ll6 Notification dated 22-6-19*9, 3hich i( at pa$e ;4 of the paper 'oo1. &hi(
Notification (a6( in #ne5#ivocal ter!( that re(pondent No. 4 i( a'(or'ed in the @d#cation
>epart!ent a( @4ec#tive @n$ineer (B-1*+ on per!anent 'a(i( 3ith effect fro! 31-7-19*;. @4
facie thi( Notification doe( not provide an6 ca#(e of action to the appellant for the rea(on that it
doe( not (a6 that re(pondent No. 4 3o#ld ran1 "#nior to the appellant. -n (#ch circ#!(tance( it
can 'e (aid that a( conte!plated #nder (ection 4 of the %indh %ervice &ri'#nal( Act, 1973,
appeal of a civil (ervant i( !ade co!petent onl6 3hen there i( a final order '6 depart!ental
a#thorit6 in re(pect of an6 of ter!( and condition( of hi( (ervice. %ince Notification !entioned
a'ove doe( not (pea1 a'o#t ter!( and condition( of (ervice of appellant '#t relate( to tho(e of
re(pondent No. 4, it 3o#ld 'e proper to (a6 that appeal i( pre!at#re in the a'(ence of challen$e
to con(e5#ential (eniorit6 li(t. %ervice &ri'#nal ha( o'(erved in the i!p#$ned "#d$!ent that
d#rin$ the pendenc6 of the appeal (eniorit6 li(t 3a( p#'li(hed '6 the depart!ent !entionin$
na!e of re(pondent No. 4 at the top and that of appellant 'elo3 hi! '#t that (eniorit6 li(t 3a6(
not challen$ed '6 the appellant. -t, therefore, follo3( that (ince Notification !entioned a'ove,
doe( not (pea1 a'o#t (eniorit6 of appellant, a( (#ch, it doe( not affect hi( ter!( and condition( of
(ervice and hi( appeal 'efore the %ervice &ri'#nal i( not !aintaina'le a( he ha( no loc#( (tandi
to challen$e that Notification. -f appellant ha( $rievance that the (aid Notification not directl6
'#t indirectl6 affect( hi( (eniorit6, in that ca(e he ha( to 3ait till con(e5#ential (eniorit6 li(t i(
p#'li(hed or '6 an6 other finial order of depart!ental a#thorit6 he i( '6pa((ed in the pro!otion
on that $ro#nd.
*-A. %econd contention noted in the leave $rantin$ order i( that operation of (ection 4 of the
%indh %ervice &ri'#nal( Act i( not li!ited to onl6 (eniorit6 li(t '#t cover( an6 other final order
i((#ed '6 depart!ental a#thorit6 affectin$ the (eniorit6 of civil (ervant. Apparentl6 there i( no
cavil 3ith thi( propo(ition 3hich i( correctl6 (tated and le$al re5#ire!ent !entioned therein i(
that a civil (ervant ha( to (ati(f6 the &ri'#nal that the final order i((#ed '6 depart!ental a#thorit6
ha( affected hi( (eniorit6. -f he i( a'le to (ho3 that, hi( appeal 3o#ld 'e !aintaina'le and if not
then hi( appeal 3o#ld 'e inco!petent. -n the in(tant ca(e Notification in 5#e(tion i( in re(pect of
re(pondent No. 4 and ha( a'(or'ed hi! retro(pectivel6. Both appellant and re(pondent No. 4 are
@4ec#tive @n$ineer( in 8rade-1*. &here i( to follo3 either (eniorit6 li(t (ho3in$ re(pondent No.
4 a( (enior to appellant or order of pro!otion to ne4t $rade in favo#r of re(pondent No. 4
'6pa((in$ appellant, 3hich 3o#ld $ive hi! rea(on to 'e a$$rieved and ca#(e of action to file
appeal contendin$ that ter!( and condition( of hi( (ervice have 'een violated.
9. &hird contention in the leave $rantin$ order i( 3hether #nder (ection 24 of %indh Civil
%ervant( Act the 0rovincial 8overn!ent cannot pa(( an6 order in favo#r of a civil (ervant in
rela4ation of (tat#tor6 r#le( adver(el6 affectin$ the ri$ht( and privile$e( of other civil (ervant(
conferred '6 la3. -n the in(tant ca(e 'oth appellant and re(pondent No. 4 3ere 3or1in$
?niver(itie( 'efore their ind#ction in the @d#cation >epart!ent. Appeal 3a( 3or1in$ a( a
0ro"ect A((i(tant @n$ineer (B%-17+ in A$ric#lt#re ?niver(it6, &ando Ha!, 3hen he 3a( dep#ted
to (erve in the (a!e capacit6 @d#cation >epart!ent of 8overn!ent of %indh. After hi( (election
'6 %in 0#'lic %ervice Co!!i((ion, hi( appoint!ent on dep#tation 3a( converted it re$#lar
appoint!ent (B%-17+ vide Notification dated 14th H#l6, 19*<. Appellant contin#ed to 3or1 for ;
6ear( in 8rade-17 and then he 3a( cleared >epart!ental 0ro!otion Co!!ittee and 3a(
pro!oted to the po(t @4ec#tive @n$ineer (B%-1*+ 3ith effect fro! 2<-11-19*;. n the other ha
'efore the date of pro!otion of appellant to 8rade-1*, re(pondent No. 4 v alread6 (ervin$ a(
@4ec#tive @n$ineer (B%-1*+ in %indh ?niver(it6 and v tran(ferred to @d#cation >epart!ent of
8overn!ent of %indh v Notification dated 11th A#$#(t 19*; on dep#tation for a period of t3o
6ea %#'(e5#entl6 '6 Notification dated *th April, 19*6, he 3a( a'(or'ed per!anentl6 '#t thi(
Notification 3a( 3ithdra3n and '6 (#'(e5#ent Notification dated 22-6-19*9, he 3a( a'(or'ed
on per!anent 'a(i( 3ith of fro! the date of "oinin$ the @d#cation >epart!ent. -n (econd
para$raph thi( Notification it i( !entioned that previo#( Notification dated *th April 19*6
a'(or'in$ re(pondent No. 4 3ith i!!ediate effect i( here'6 3ithdra3n and cancelled. -t i( thi(
Notification dated 22-6-19*9 a$ain(t 3hich appellant i( a$$rieved rind he i!p#$ned it in hi(
appeal 'efore %era &ri'#nal.
1<. No3 di(p#te 'et3een the contendin$ partie( i( 3ith re$ard to (eniorit6 in 8rade-1* a(
@4ec#tive @n$ineer(. Appellant o'tained 8rade-1* pro!otion on 2<-11-19*; and on that date
re(pondent No. 4 3a( alread6 @4ec#tive @n$ineer in that $rade and 3a( 3or1in$ in the (a!e
@d#cation >epart!ent havin$ 'een 'ro#$ht there '6 tran(fer on 11-*-19*; 3hich 3a( a'o#t
three !onth( earlier in point of ti!e than date of pro!otion appellant. &he 5#e(tion i( of
re$#lari(ation and per!anent a'(orption re(pondent No. 4 in the (a!e $rade (B%-1*+. 8rievance
of the appellant i( that (ervice( of re(pondent No. 4 (ho#ld not have 'een re$#lari(ed v
retro(pective effect fro! the date of hi( ind#ction in @d#cation >epart!ent 3hich i( 31-7-19*;
'eca#(e it i( not allo3ed #nder the r#le( and (econdl6 (#ch !anner re(pondent No. 4 3o#ld ran1
(enior to appellant 3ho 3a( pro!oted in that $rade on 2<-11-19*;.
11. -n the conte4t of 3hat i( (tated a'ove, (pea1in$ le$all6 reference 'e !ade to %indh Civil
%ervant( Act, 1973, 3hich re$#late( appoint!ent( ter!( and condition( of (ervice of per(on( in
the (ervice of 0a1i(tan connection 3ith affair( of 0rovince of %indh. %ection 6 of thi( Act
provide( inter alia, that an6 appoint!ent of a civil (ervant '6 pro!otion or tran(fer to a (ervice
or po(t !a6 al(o 'e !ade on pro'ation a( !a6 'e pre(cri'ed. %ection f#rther conte!plate(
confir!ation on (ati(factor6 co!pletion of pro'ation !a6 'e pre(cri'ed and al(o that there (hall
'e no confir!ation a$ain(t te!porar6 po(t. %#'(ection (;+ of (ection 7 re5#ire( that confir!ation
of a civil (ervant in a (ervice or po(t (hall ta1e effect fro! the date of occ#rrence of per!anent
vacanc6 in that (ervice or po(t or fro! the date of contin#o#( officiatin$ in (#ch (ervice or po(t
3hichever i( later. %ection 26 of %indh Civil %ervant( Act, 1973 ha( e!po3ered the 8overn!ent
to !a1e (#ch r#le( a( appear nece((ar6 or e4pedient for carr6in$ o#t p#rpo(e( of thi( Act. A( per
r#le 4 of %indh Civil %ervant( (Appoint!ent, 0ro!otion and &ran(fer+ :#le(, 1974, a#thorit6
co!petent to !a1e appoint!ent( to 8rade-16 and a'ove i( the Chief Mini(ter. :#le 7 thereof
f#rther conte!plate( that pro!otion( and tran(fer( to po(t( in 8rade 2 to 1* (hall 'e !ade on the
reco!!endation of appropriate >epart!ental 0ro!otion Co!!ittee. :#le 3 of %indh Civil
%ervant( (0ro'ation, Confir!ation and %eniorit6+ :#le(, 197;, e!po3er( appointin$ a#thorit6 to
c#rtail or e4tend period of pro'ation. :#le 4 thereof provide( that confir!ation of a civil (ervant
(hall 'e !ade in the order of (eniorit6 in the per!anent po(t on 3hich no other civil (ervant
hold( an6 lien. :#le 9(1+ envi(a$e( that in each $rade in a depart!ent there (hall 'e (eparate
(eniorit6 li(t of a $ro#p of civil (ervant( doin$ (i!ilar and perfor!in$ (i!ilar f#nction( and for
tho(e appoint!ent( (a!e 5#alification( and e4perience have 'een laid do3n. :#le 1<(1+
provide( that (eniorit6 of a civil (ervant (hall 'e rec1oned fro! the date of hi( re$#lar
appoint!ent. :#le 1<(2+ provide( that no appoint!ent !ade on ad hoc 'a(i( (hall 'e re$#lari(ed
retro(pectivel6. :#le 12 provide( that if an appoint!ent i( !ade '6 tran(fer, then per(on
appointed other3i(e than on hi( o3n re5#e(t, (hall for the p#rpo(e of deter!inin$ the (eniorit6
'e $iven 'enefit of hi( re$#lar (ervice or other po(t held '6 hi! 'efore hi( tran(fer.
12. No3 the ca(e in hand of re(pondent No. 4 i( to 'e e4a!ined in the li$ht of le$al provi(ion(
!entioned a'ove. %tri1in$l6 pro!inent feat#re( of the ca(e are that re(pondent No. 4 3a( alread6
@4ec#tive @n$ineer (B%-1*+ in the ?niver(it6 of %indh and not at hi( re5#e(t '#t on the initiative
of @d#cation >epart!ent hi( (ervice( 3ere o'tained on dep#tation for t3o 6ear( in the (a!e
$rade in p#'lic intere(t ("oint 3ritten (tate!ent of official re(pondent( 'efore &ri'#nal at pa$e 64
of paper 'oo1+. -t i( 'e6ond di(p#te that thi( appoint!ent '6 tran(fer 3a( not ad hoc 3ith re$ard
to either the po(t or inc#!'ent. &hi( fact i( (o confir!ed '6 relievin$ order of :e$i(trar of
?niver(it6 of %indh (pa$e 4< of paper 'oo1+ and Notification of appoint!ent dated 11th A#$#(t,
19*; (pa$e 41 of paper 'oo1+. &he period of pro'ation of t3o 6ear( 3a( not co!plete and 3ithin
* !onth( he 3a( a'(or'ed per!anentl6 3ith i!!ediate effect vide Notification dated *-4-19*6.
&hi( 3a( done on the 'a(i( of (#!!ar6 3hich 3a( approved '6 Chief Mini(ter on 2-4-19*6.
%#'(e5#entl6, another (#!!ar6 3a( floated !entionin$ thi( fact that the intention of the
depart!ent 3a( to re5#e(t for per!anent a'(orption of re(pondent No. 4 fro! 31-7-19*;, 3hich
i( date of hi( entr6 in (ervice of the depart!ent a( re5#e(ted r16 re(pondent No. 4 '#t
inadvertentl6 earlier Notification dated *-4-1CM6 !entioned a'(orption 3ith i!!ediate effect.
Accordin$l6 vide order dated 16-6-19*9, the Chief Mini(ter of %indh 3a( plea(ed to approve the
(#!!ar6 $rantin$ per!anent a'(orption 3ith effect fro! 31-7-19*; and in con(e5#ence (econd
Notification 3a( i((#ed on 22-6-19*9 allo3in$ retro(pective a'(orption a( (tated a'ove and in it
thi( fact i( !entioned that previo#( Notification dated *-4-19*6 i( 3ithdra3n and cancelled.
Correct reflection of fact( i( contained in para$raph( 3 and 4 of (#!!ar6 3hich i( approved '6
the Chief Mini(ter on 16-6-19*9 (pa$e 11 of (econd paper 'oo1+ 3hich are reprod#ced a(
#nder/--
=%ince in 19*;, @d#cation >epart!ent did not have eno#$h 5#alified en$ineer( of it( o3n it 3a(
propo(ed to the then Chief Mini(ter (Anne4#re----+ to a'(or' hi! per!anentl6 in the
>epart!ent. Fhile the >epart!ent 3a( con(iderin$ hi( per!anent a'(orption, Mr. :a(hdi al(o
filed hi( re5#e(t on 2nd >ece!'er, 19*; (Anne4#re--.+ for a'(orption on the roll( of the
@d#cation >epart!ent. Chief Mini(ter 3a( plea(ed to approve >epart!entA( propo(al (Anne4#re
---+ and Notification to that effect 3a( i((#ed and hi( a'(orption 'eca!e effective 3.e.f. *th
April, 19*6 i.e. date of i((#e of Notification (Anne4#re .+.
&he Ad!ini(trative >epart!ent had intended and 3i(hed to have Mr. A1'ar :a(hdi a'(or'ed
fro! the date of hi( "oinin$ i.e. 31(t H#l6, 19*; 'eca#(e of hi( e4cellent perfor!ance, '#t
inadvertentl6 the (pecific date of hi( a'(orption co#ld not 'e !entioned in the (#!!ar6 re(#ltin$
in the a'(orption in the @d#cation >epart!ent 3.e.f. *th April, 19*6. &hi( ha( definitel6 placed
Mr. A1'ar D#((ain :a(hdi in a di(advanta$eo#( po(ition, 'eca#(e !ean3hile (o!e H#nior
A((i(tant @n$ineer( of the >epart!ent 3ho at the ti!e of Mr. :a(hidA( ind#ction in @d#cation
>epart!ent 3ere not eli$i'le for pro!otion on acco#nt of their not havin$ rendered the
pre(cri'ed len$th of (ervice i.e. ; 6ear( 3herea( Mr. :a(hdi 3a( alread6 in B-1* 3hen he "oined
the @d#cation >epart!ent. &he people 3ho $ot pro!oted in the !ean3hile 3ere M)(.
Ah(an#llah Me!on and Mah!ood Ali 2a1ho. &he6 3ere pro!oted to B-1* on 11th >ece!'er,
19*;. Mr. 2a1ho even (erved #nder Mr. :a(hdi a( an A((i(tant @n$ineer. &he co!parative
(ervice partic#lar( are detailed 'elo3/=
13. -t i(, therefore, cr6(tal clear and 'e6ond 5#e(tion that action of the. 8overn!ent i!p#$ned in
thi( appeal ha( 'een co!petentl6 ta1en 3ith co!plete cover of r#le(. Cir(t of all the appoint!ent
3a( not ad hoc and co#ld 'e re$#lari(ed retro(pectivel6 fro! the date of entr6 in (ervice and no
r#le ha( 'een pointed o#t di(ena'lin$ the 8overn!ent fro! doin$ (o. Action of the 8overn!ent
can 'e con(idered in the li$ht of di(cretion $iven to the 8overn!ent to c#rtail or e4tend the
period of pro'ation. .alid rea(on( have 'een $iven a( (tated a'ove for c#rtail!ent of period of
pro'ation and re$#lari(ation. Appellant ha( no ve(ted ri$ht to clai! (eniorit6 a$ain(t re(pondent
No. 4 and on that $ro#nd (ee1 to (top re$#lari(ation of re(pondent No. 4 fro! the date of hi(
entr6 in the (ervice. 0rohi'ition !entioned in :#le 1<(2+ of %indh Civil %ervant( (0rohi'ition,
Confir!ation and %eniorit6+ :#le(, 197; i( in re(pect of ad hoc appoint!ent and nothin$ ha(
'een (ho3n to #( to (#pport that appoint!ent in di(p#te 3a( or i( ad hoc.
14. ne other note3orth6 fact i( that at the ti!e 3hen re(pondent No. 4 3a( 'ein$ con(idered for
per!anent a'(orption, recr#it!ent r#le( for the po(t( of @4ec#tive @n$ineer( in the >irectorate
of @n$ineerin$ and For1( of that depart!ent 3ere non-e4i(tent. >raft 3a( prepared and (ent to
:ecr#it!ent :#le( Co!!ittee of %indh 0#'lic %ervice Co!!i((ion. -t 3a( propo(ed '6 the
Co!!ittee that po(t !a6 'e filled in '6 pro!otion fro! a!on$(t A((i(tant @n$ineer( 3or1in$ in
the >epart!ent a( 3a( 'ein$ done in the C9F depart!ent. A( !entioned in the (#!!ar6 for
Chief Mini(ter dated 1*th Han#ar6, 19*6 (pa$e 7 of (econd paper 'oo1+ @d#cation %ecretar6 did
not endor(e that (#$$e(tion for the rea(on that pro!otee en$ineer( 3ere not availa'le a( all of
the! had 'een pro!oted and ne3l6-recr#ited A((i(tant @n$ineer( of the >epart!ent 3ere far too
"#nior for pro!otion. -n (#ch circ#!(tance(, propo(al 3a( !ade that re(pondent No. 4, 3ho had
(erved in vario#( capacitie( for !ore than * 6ear( in 8rade-1* a( a$ain(t re5#ired len$th of
(ervice of ; 6ear(, !a6 'e a'(or'ed a( @4ec#tive @n$ineer in rela4ation of the r#le(.
1;. A( clai!ed '6 re(pondent(, i!p#$ned action i( ta1en '6 the 8overn!ent #nder (ection 24 of
%indh Civil %ervant( Act, 1973, 3hich read( a( #nder/--
=Nothin$ in thi( Act or in an6 r#le (hall 'e con(idered to li!it or a'rid$e po3er of 8overn!ent
to deal 3ith the ca(e of an6 civil (ervant in (#ch !anner a( !a6 appear to it to 'e "#(t and
e5#ita'le/
0rovided that 3here thi( Act or an6 r#le i( applica'le to the ca(e of a civil (ervant, the ca(e (hall
not 'e dealt 3ith in an6 !anner le(( favo#ra'le to hi! than that provided '6 thi( Act or (#ch
r#le(.=
16. Bare readin$ of (ection 24 of the %indh Civil %ervant( Act, 1973, !a1e( the intention of
2e$i(lat#re ver6 clear that the 8overn!ent i( e!po3ered to !a1e deviation fro! r#le( or $rant
e4e!ption fro! application thereof in a fit ca(e 3hich !a6 appear to the 8overn!ent to 'e "#(t
and e5#ita'le. .a(tne(( or enor!it6 of thi( po3er of the 8overn!ent can 'e vi(#ali(ed in the
li$ht of (ection 26 of thi( Act #nder 3hich the 8overn!ent ha( 'een $iven po3er to fra!e,
a!end or repeal the r#le(. Fhat ca(e i( "#(t and e5#ita'le i( for the 8overn!ent to decide '#t it
can 'e (aid that in the nor!al co#r(e provi(ion( of thi( Act and r#le( fra!ed there#nder are to 'e
acted #pon '#t in an e4traordinar6 ca(e 3hich i( con(idered to 'e "#(t and e5#ita'le application
of r#le( can 'e e4e!pted if ca#(in$ diffic#lt6 convertin$ the ca(e into a hard(hip ca(e. Fe are of
the vie3 that the 8overn!ent (ho#ld not and cannot e4erci(e the(e po3er( in a ca(e 3here
ve(ted ri$ht( of other civil (ervant( are violated and i!p#$ned #pon.
17. Davin$ $iven d#e an4io#( con(ideration to the fact a( o'(erved '6 the %ervice &ri'#nal in the
i!p#$ned "#d$!ent that d#rin$ the (#'(i(tence of pro'ation 3hen ca(e of re(pondent No. 4 3a(
reco!!ended for re$#lari(ation, it 3a( not p#t #p 'efore >epart!ental 0ro!otion Co!!ittee a(
i( re5#ired #nder :#le 7 of %indh Civil %ervant( (Appoint!ent, 0ro!otion and &ran(fer+ :#le(,
1974. -t i( therefore, clear that a( it appear( fro! the record and per(#al of t3o (#!!arie(
(#'!itted to the Chief Mini(ter in thi( connection, vie3( of %ecretar6, Chief %ecretar6 and
Mini(ter 3ere con(i(tent and heavil6 in favo#r of re(pondent No. 4 (ho3in$ co!plete
(ati(faction 3ith hi( 3or1 and perfor!ance and the Chief Mini(ter, 3ho i( appointin$ a#thorit6
al(o (hared the (a!e vie3(, hence in (#ch circ#!(tance( reference of the ca(e to the
>epart!ental 0ro!otion Co!!ittee for o'tainin$ it( reco!!endation( 3o#ld 'e "#(t a for!alit6
renderin$ it(elf a( #nnece((ar6.
1*. Cro! the r#lin$( cited '6 Mr. Me!on, learned co#n(el for the appellant in (#pport of hi(
contention(, ca(e of M#1htar Ah!ad and other( v. 8overn!ent of Fe(t 0a1i(tan (02> 1971 %C
*46+ i( not attracted to the fact( of thi( ca(e for the rea(on that order i!p#$ned therein 3a(
pa((ed 'efore pro!#l$ation of Civil %ervant( Act, 1973 and other co-related 0rovincial 2a3(
and at that ti!e Con(tit#tion of 1962 3a( in force. %econd ca(e cited '6 hi! i( of -5'al Ah!ed
Kh#rra! v. 8overn!ent of 0a1i(tan 02> 19*< %C 1;3 3hich al(o doe( not advance the ca(e of
appellant for the rea(on that point( decided in the reported ca(e and the fact( are different. &he
neare(t point co!para'le i( the interpretation of (ection( 23 and 2; of the Civil %ervant( Act,
1973. -n that ca(e Cederal 8overn!ent #nder r#le( had altered the !ethod of recr#it!ent and
pro!otion and it 3a( clai!ed that the ne3 r#le( 3o#ld (#per(ede the e4i(tin$ r#le( on the
(#'"ect and 3o#ld $overn the eli$i'ilit6 for pro!otion and recr#it!ent. '"ection 3a( rai(ed '6
the co#n(el for petitioner( appearin$ in that ca(e that provi(o to (ection 23 3o#ld co!e in the
3a6 to fra!e (#ch r#le(. -t 3a( held that the 0re(ident or an6 per(on a#thori(ed '6 hi! ha(
#nre(tricted po3er #nder (ection 2; to !a1e (#ch r#le( a( appear to hi! to 'e nece((ar6 or
e4pedient. %ection 9, dealin$ 3ith eli$i'ilit6 for pro!otion did not $#arantee re(ervation of r#le(,
3hich are capa'le of chan$e. -t 3a( f#rther held that readin$ of (ection 23 and the provi(o a( a
3hole, !a1e( it clear that it i( a re(id#ar6 provi(ion and ena'le( the 8overn!ent to deal 3ith the
ca(e of an6 per(on #nder the r#le( accordin$ to "#(tice and e5#it6 (o lon$ a( he i( not treated le((
favo#ra'l6 than the r#le( re5#ired and the 8overn!ent can 3ithin it( plenar6 po3er( !a1e
ad"#(t!ent of a co!pen(ator6 nat#re. :e(id#ar6 provi(ion in no 3a6 control( plenar6 po3er( of
8overn!ent to fra!e r#le( #nder (ection 2; of the Act.
19. :eliance '6 Mr. Me!on on the ca(e of %. Da'i' Daider v. &he %ecretar6, Mini(tr6 of
-nterior, -(la!a'ad and 14 other( 1991 %CM: 1;<; i( not apt for the rea(on that in the reported
ca(e petitioner 3a( e!plo6ed in 0a1i(tan Narcotic Control BoardA and in 1977 3a( 'ro#$ht to
Cederal -nve(ti$ation A$enc6 on dep#tation and 3a( a'(or'ed a( -n(pector in 19*2. De 3a(
$iven (eniorit6 fro! 19*2 '#t he clai!ed the (a!e fro! 1977 3hen he 3a( 'ro#$ht on tran(fer.
Di( re5#e(t 3a( re"ected '6 the depart!ent a( 3ell a( '6 the %ervice &ri'#nal. -t 3a( held '6 the
%#pre!e Co#rt that letter of tran(fer on dep#tation clearl6 indicated that, appoint!ent 3a(
te!porar6 and ad hoc and he 3a( lia'le to rever(ion to hi( parent depart!ent and, therefore, he
3a( $iven ri$htl6 (eniorit6 fro! the date of hi( re$#lar a'(orption in the 6ear 19*2. A( a$ain(t
that in the in(tant ca(e letter of tran(fer of re(pondent No. 4 to the @d#cation >epart!ent and
other paper( do not indicate that tran(fer 3a( ad hoc in nat#re.
2<. -ncidentall6 'oth the learned co#n(el na!el6 Mr. Me!on for appellant and Mr. Ca1hr#ddin
8. @'rahi! for re(pondent No.4 have cited and relied #pon "#d$!ent in the ca(e of M#ha!!ad
i5'al Kho1har and other( &he 8overn!ent of the 0#n"a' (02> 1991 %#pre!e Co#rt 3;1. &he
fact( of the reported ca(e are that fo#r appellant( 3ere recr#ited directl6 in 1974 thro#$h 0#'lic
%ervice Co!!i((ion a( A((i(tant @n$ineer( in the (ervice of @n$ineer(. B#ildin$( and :oad(,
8overn!ent 0#n"a'. :e(pondent No. 2, 3ho 3a( retired Captain of Ar!6 3a( recr#ited in the
6ear 197; in that depart!ent '6 the (a!e proce((. 8overnor of 0#n"a' pa((in$ order on 1*th
H#l6, 1979 $ave retro(pective (eniorit6 to re(pondent No.2 to co#nt hi( ar!6 (ervice, rela4ed
condition of ; 6ear( (ervice in the >epart!ent a( A((i(tant @n$ineer for pro!otion and al(o
allo3ed hi! 'enefit of hi( ar!6 (ervice to3ard( pa6 and pen(ion. -n con(e5#ence (eniorit6
po(ition of re(pondent No.2 3a( chan$ed fro! %.No. 12; of the 0rovi(ional %eniorit6 2i(t to a
place 'et3een %.No.2 and %.No.3. Not (#cceedin$ in the depart!ent on repre(entation,
appellant( filed appeal 'efore %ervice &ri'#nal 3hich 3a( di(!i((ed on the (hort $ro#nd that
8overnor had a((i$ned (eniorit6 in rela4ation of r#le(, hence that order 3a( valid. -n appeal thi(
Co#rt ha( held that 0#n"a' Civil %ervant( Act doe( not e4pre((l6 (a6 that (eniorit6 (hall not 'e a
ve(ted ri$ht tho#$h all other provincial la3( (a6 (o. %econdl6 po3er of !a1in$ r#le( of (eniorit6
(#'ordinated the ri$ht of (eniorit6 '#t in 0#n"a' it i( not (o. &he o'vio#( concl#(ion i( that in the
0#n"a' (eniorit6 contin#e( to 'e a ve(ted ri$ht of a civil (ervant, el(e3here it i( not (o.
@4a!inin$ in detail (ection 22 of the 0#n"a' Civil %ervant( Act in "#4tapo(ition 3ith relevant
r#le( thi( Co#rt ha( co!e to the concl#(ion a( (tated #nder /-
=&he onl6 5#e(tion that re!ain( to 'e e4a!ined i( 3hether the po3er po((e((ed '6 the 8overnor
#nder (ection 22 of the 0#n"a' Civil %ervant( Act, to 3hich the provi(ion( in the :#le( on the
(a!e (#'"ect are (#'ordinate, "#(tif6 the confer!ent of (eniorit6 retro(pectivel6 in a !anner to
violate the provi(ion of :#le *(1+(a+ of the Appoint!ent :#le( and 1;(1+(a+ of the %ervice :#le(
of 1967 in a !anner to A pre"#diciall6 and adver(el6 affect the ve(ted ri$ht of the appellant( and
!an6 other(. &he di(pen(ation #nder (ection 22 of the 0#n"a' Civil %ervant( Act i( individ#al
and i( li!ited and controlled '6 a provi(o 3hich e(ta'li(he( the (#pre!ac6 of the Act and the
:#le(. &he rela4ation can 'e 'eneficial to the civil (ervant 3itho#t 'ein$ pre"#dicial to an6one
el(e even to the civil (ervant 3ho i( $ranted rela4ation or e4e!ption. n that principle the
i!p#$ned rder of the 8overnor i( #ltra vire( (ection 22 of the 0#n"a' Civil %ervant( Act in (o
far a( it $rant( the re(pondent No.2 (eniorit6 for the period 21-1<-1969 to 26-2-197; and refi4e(
the (eniorit6 accordin$l6. &he allo3ance to an fficer the 'enefit of hi( Ar!6 (ervice to3ard(
pa6 and pen(ion and rela4ation of five 6ear( (ervice in the >epart!ent a( A((i(tant @n$ineer for
pro!otion to the po(t of @4ec#tive @n$ineer do not '6 the!(elve( pre"#diciall6 affect an6one,
and are therefore, not in violation of the la3 '#t in rela4ation of it. &herefore, the6 are declared
to that e4tent to 'e valid and proper.=
21. Mr. Me!on relie( #pon the reported "#d$!ent !entioned a'ove in (#pport of hi( contention
that retro(pective re$#lari(ation cannot 'e !ade partic#larl6, 3hen it i( violative of r#le(. n the
other hand, reliance i( placed '6 Mr. Ca1hr#ddin 8. @'rahi! on thi( "#d$!ent ! (#pport of hi(
contention( that in %indh there i( no ve(ted ri$ht to (eniorit6 and in the reported ca(e order of the
8overnor 3a( declared #ltra vire( (ection 22 of the 0#n"a' Civil %ervant( Act for valid rea(on(
in the li$ht of pec#liar fact( of that ca(e. -n that ca(e appellant( 3ere appointed one 6ear earlier
and '6 retro(pective (eniorit6 re(pondent No.2 (#per(eded 122 per(on(. Accordin$ to hi! fact(
of the in(tant ca(e are different in 3hich appellant doe( not have an6 ve(ted ri$ht to have (topped
retro(pective re$#lari(ation fro! date of entr6 in that depart!ent of re(pondent No.4.
22. After hearin$ of appeal, a draft "#d$!ent 3a( prepared and 'efore it( finali(ation d#rin$
di(c#((ion( (o!e point( had cropped #p for 3hich f#rther hearin$ 'eca!e nece((ar6. -n the
circ#!(tance( five point( 3ere for!#lated and notice( 3ere i((#ed to the advocate( of the partie(
for f#rther hearin$. &he point( are a( #nder/-
(1+ Fhat i( the (tat#( of a per(on on dep#tation in the depart!ent in 3hich he 3or1( on
dep#tationJ
(2+ Fhether a per(on on dep#tation can 'e a'(or'ed per!anentl6 in the depart!ent 3ith effect
fro! the date of entr6 on dep#tationJ
(3+ Fhat 3a( the po(ition inter (e 'et3een the appellant and re(pondent No.4 a( to their
ind#ction in 8rade-17 in the re(pective ?niver(itie(J
(4+ n 3hat date re(pondent No.4 3a( pro!oted)confir!ed in 8rade-1* in %indh ?niver(it6J
(;+ Fhether the i!p#$ned order of a'(orption of re(pondent No.4 3ith effect fro! the date of
hi( co!in$ on dep#tation co#ld have 'een pa((ed #nder (ection 24 of the %indh Civil %ervant(
Act, 1973.
23. -n f#rther hearin$ learned co#n(el for the partie( 3ere a$ain heard in detail. &here i( no
di(p#te a'o#t the fact that re(pondent No.4 3a( ori$inall6 an e!plo6ee of %indh ?niver(it6 and
3a( on dep#tation 3ith @d#cation >epart!ent and till hi( re$#lari(ation in the @d#cation
>epart!ent he 3a( not 8overn!ent (ervant a( i( defined in (ection 2 of %indh Civil %ervant(
Act, 1973. -n (#pport reference can 'e !ade to the ca(e of ?niver(it6 of Balochi(tan v. %aeed
M#ha!!ad Khan and other( (19*6 %CM: 1<63+. &here i( al(o no 5#arrel 3ith the propo(ition
that a( lon$ a( re(pondent No.4 contin#ed to 'e on dep#tation he 3a( to 'e treated a( per!anent
e!plo6ee of the ?niver(it6. >ep#tationi(t i( defined in the ca(e of -(la!ic :ep#'lic of 0a1i(tan
v. -(rar#l Da5 and other( (02< 191* %C ;31+ a( e!plo6ee 3ho i( appointed or tran(ferred to a
depart!ent different fro! one to 3hich he per!anentl6 'elon$( and cea(e( to 'e re$arded a(
(#ch on confir!ation or rever(ion to hi( (#'(tantive po(t. n tran(fer to another depart!ent lien
contin#e( to re!ain and co#ld 'e ter!inated onl6 3hen tran(feree i( confir!ed a$ain(t (o!e
per!anent po(t #ntil then he 3o#ld 'e e4cl#ded fro! definition of civil (ervant a( lon$ a( he
re!ained on dep#tation. :eference can 'e !ade to the ca(e of MaGhar Ali v. Cederation of
0a1i(tan (1992 %CM: 43;+.
24. - a! of the con(idered vie3 that in the in(tant ca(e re(pondent No. 4 3a( alread6 3or1in$ a(
@4ec#tive @n$ineer (B%-1*+ 3ith %indh ?niver(it6 3hen he 3a( tran(ferred to @d#cation
>epart!ent vide Notification dated 11-*-19*;, 3hile appellant 3a( pro!oted in the @d#cation
>epart!ent a( @4ec#tive @n$ineer (B%-1*+ 3ith effect fro! 2<-11-19*;, hence it cannot 'e (aid
that 'oth 3ere ind#cted in 8rade-1* at the (a!e ti!e and in the (a!e No. 4 3a( alread6 in
8rade-1* 3hen appellant 3a( pro!oted to that $rade. %econdl6, - a! #na'le to find in the
Notification of M tran(fer of re(pondent No. 4 to the @d#cation >epart!ent and other relevant
paper( an6 indication that appoint!ent 3a( ad hoc in nat#re &hirdl6, (ince the tran(fer 3a( !ade
'6 the 8overn!ent and 3a( not at the in(tance of re(pondent No. 4 and he 3a( tran(ferred in the
(a!e $rade and f#rther the 8overn!ent 3a( (ati(fied 3ith hi( perfor!ance of d#t6 and for valid
rea(on( a'(or'ed hi! per!anentl6 fro! the date of entr6 in the depart!ent, i!p#$ned order 3a(
validl6 pa((ed 3ithin the fo#r corner( of the r#le( 3hich appear( to 'e "#(t and e5#ita'le a(
conte!plated #nder (ection 24 of the %indh Civil %ervant( Act, 1973.
2;. Cor the fact( and rea(on( !entioned a'ove, i!p#$ned "#d$!ent i( #pheld and thi(, appeal i(
di(!i((ed a( havin$ no !erit(.
A"MA& M/A$, "9))-- have had the advanta$e of readin$ the "#d$!ent propo(ed to 'e delivered
'6 !6 learned 'rother %a""ad Ali %hah, H. Fith d#e deference to hi!, - a! #na'le to per(#ade to
!6(elf to a$ree 3ith the (a!e. &hi( i(, therefore, !6 (eparate note.
2. Cor the p#rpo(e of re(olvin$ the controver(6 in i((#e, the relevant fact( are that initiall6 the
appellant "oined the A$ric#lt#ral ?niver(it6, &ando Hain, a( 0ro"ect A((i(tant @n$ineer (B-17+ on
1-1-197*, 3herea( re(pondent No. 4 "oined the %indh ?niver(it6 on 26-1-197* a( A((i(tant
@4ec#tive @n$ineer (B-17+. -t (ee!( that the appellant 3a( ta1en in the @d#cation >epart!ent,
8overn!ent of %indh, a( an A((i(tant @n$ineer in 3rd @d#cation 0ro"ect -!ple!entation ?nit,
@d#cation >epart!ent, 8overn!ent of %indh, D6dera'ad, on ad hoc 'a(i( thro#$h Notification
dated 23-9-1979. -t f#rther (ee!( that. he "oined the a'ove >epart!ent on re$#lar 'a(i( thro#$h
%indh 0#'lic %ervice Co!!i((ion, D6dera'ad, 3ith effect fro! 2-4-19*< #nder Notification
dated 14-7-19*< (at pa$e 39 of the paper 'oo1+. -t appear( that re(pondent No. 4 contin#ed to
re!ain in the %indh ?niver(it6 till 31-7-19*; 3hen he 3ac ta1en on dep#tation a( @4ec#tive
@n$ineer for a period of t3o 6ear( thro#$h Notification dated 11-*-19*;. -t f#rther appear( that
after the e4pir6 of a'o#t five !onth( after havin$ co!e on dep#tation, re(pondent No.4 thro#$h
hi( application dated 2-12-19*;, re5#e(ted the %ecretar6 to the 8overn!ent of %indh, @d#cation
and C#lt#re >epart!ent, to a'(or' hi! a( @4ec#tive @n$ineer (B-1*+ in the @d#cation
>epart!ent on per!anent 'a(i(. 0#r(#ant to the a'ove application, the then Chief Mini(ter of
%indh, ordered the a'(orption of re(pondent No. 4 in the @d#cation >epart!ent, 8overn!ent of
%indh, on per!anent 'a(i(. Con(e5#entl6 re(pondent No. 4, thro#$h Notification dated *-4-19*6,
3a( a'(or'ed 3ith i!!ediate effect. -t !a6 'e advanta$eo#( to reprod#ce the a'ove notification,
3hich read( a( follo3(/-
;+(,'R$M'$- (. S/$0#
'0%CA-/($ A$0 C%&-%R' 0'PAR-M'$-

Karachi dated the *th April, 19*6.
$(-/./CA-/($
No. %.. (@-1+1)11 (@n$$+)*;.---8overn!ent of %indh i( plea(ed to a'(or' Mr. A1'ar D#((ain
:a(hdi, @4ec#tive @n$ineer (B-1*+ ?niver(it6 of %indh, pre(entl6 3or1in$ a( @4ec#tive
@n$ineer in the >irectorate of @n$ineerin$ For1(, @d#cation and C#lt#re >epart!ent, on
dep#tation, a( @4ec#tive @n$ineer (B-1*+ in the (aid >irectorate of the @d#cation and C#lt#re
>epart!ent, 3ith i!!ediate effect.=
3. -t !a6 'e pertinent to point o#t that 'efore re(pondent No. 4 3a( per!anentl6 a'(or'ed in the
@d#cation >epart!ent, the appellant, 'ein$ a per!anent e!plo6ee of the >epart!ent a(
A((i(tant @4ec#tive @n$ineer 3ith effect fro! 2-4-19*<, 3a( pro!oted a( @4ec#tive @n$ineer
after clearance fro! the >epart!ental 0ro!otion Co!!ittee on 11-12-19*;.
4. -n the fir(t (eniorit6 li(t after the a'ove pro!otion and per!anent a'(orption prepared, the
appellant 3a( (ho3n (enior to re(pondent No. 4. -n (pite of that, the appellant had filed %ervice
Appeal No. 1<1 of 19*9 in the %indh %ervice &ri'#nal, hereinafter referred to a( the &ri'#nal, on
the $ro#nd that the appoint!ent of re(pondent No. 4 in the @d#cation >epart!ent 3a( ille$al a(
it 3a( in contravention of the %ervice 2a3( and the :#le( '#t the a'ove appeal 3a( di(!i((ed in
li!ine.
;. -t (ee!( that after the e4pir6 of nearl6 three 6ear( fro! the date of i((#ance of the a'ove
Notification dated *-4-19*6 per!anentl6 a'(or'in$ re(pondent No. 4 in the @d#cation
>epart!ent 3ith i!!ediate effect, re(pondent No. 4 filed an application on 23-3-19*9 addre((ed
to the Chief %ecretar6, 8overn!ent of %indh, re5#e(tin$ hi! 3ith e4erci(e of the po3er( ve(ted
#nder (ection 24 of the %indh Civil %ervant( Act, 1973, hereinafter referred to a( the Act, he !a6
'e a'(or'ed 3ith effect fro! 31-7-19*;, the date he had "oined the @d#cation >epart!ent. ?pon
receipt of the a'ove application, the !atter 3a( a$ain placed 'efore the then Chief Mini(ter of
%indh, 3ho thro#$h hi( order dated 16-6-19*9, ordered the a'(orption of re(pondent No. 4 3ith
effect fro! 31-7-19*;. 0#r(#ant 3hereof, a notification dated 22-6-19*9 3a( i((#ed 3hich read(
a( follo3(/-
;$o9 S9(94P<0)151=4>?5@88)8?9)))&he 8overn!ent of %indh, in e4erci(e of the po3er(
conferred #nder (ection 24 of the %indh Civil %ervant( Act, 1973, i( plea(ed to a'(or' Mr. A1'ar
D#((ain :a(hdi, @4ec#tive @n$ineer (B-1*+ ?niver(it6 of %indh, on dep#tation 3ith @d#cation
>epart!ent a( @4ec#tive @n$ineer (B-1*+, in the >irectorate of @n$ineerin$ For1(, @d#cation.
>epart!ent, on per!anent 'a(i( 3ith effect fro! 31-7-19*;, the date of hi( "oinin$ the
@d#cation >epart!ent.
425 -!e $otifi2ation $9S9(9 4')/51)114'n11:5@8=, dated the *th April, 19*6 i( here'6
3ithdra3n and cancelled.=
6. &here#pon, the appellant filed Appeal No. 97 of 19*9, 3hich 3a( di(!i((ed on the $ro#nd(
that the appeal 3a( pre!at#re, the i!p#$ned notification did not provide an6 ca#(e of action to
the appellant and that #nder (ection 24 of the Act, the 8overn!ent 3a( co!petent to a'(or'
re(pondent No. 4 retro(pectivel6 3ith effect fro! 31-7-19*;. 2eave 3a( $ranted to e4a!ine the
follo3in$ contention( 3hich 3ere #r$ed '6 the learned co#n(el for the appellant/--
(1+ A civil (ervant a$$rieved '6 notification 3hich adver(el6 affect( hi( (eniorit6 in a partic#lar
cadre ha( loc#( (tandi to 5#e(tion the validit6 of (#ch notification.
(2+ &he operation of (ection 4 of the %indh %ervice &ri'#nal( Act i( not li!ited to onl6 a
(eniorit6 li(t '#t cover( an6 other final order i((#ed '6 the depart!ental a#thorit6 affectin$ the
(eniorit6 of a civil (ervant.
(3+ ?nder (ection 24 of the %indh Civil %ervant( Act, the 0rovincial 8overn!ent cannot pa(( an6
order in favo#r of a civil (ervant in violation of (tat#tor6 r#le( adver(el6 affectin$ the ri$ht( and
privile$e( of other civil (ervant( conferred '6 la3.=
7. &he ar$#!ent( 3ere heard and the ca(e 3a( re(erved for "#d$!ent on 6-;-1992 '#t (ince it
3a( tho#$ht that the appeal re5#ired f#rther hearin$, on 1-*-1992 the Co#rt ordered f#rther
hearin$ of the appeal after re-openin$ of the Co#rt after (#!!er vacation on the follo3in$
point(/-
(i+ Fhat i( the (tat#( of a per(on on dep#tation in the depart!ent in 3hich he 3or1( on
dep#tationJ
(ii+ Fhether a per(on on dep#tation can 'e a'(or'ed per!anentl6 in the depart!ent 3ith effect
fro! the date of entr6 on dep#tationJ
(iii+ Fhat 3a( the po(ition inter (e 'et3een the appellant and re(pondent No. 4 a( to their
ind#ction in 8rade-17 in the re(pective ?niver(itie(J
(iv+ n 3hat date re(pondent No. 4 3a( pro!oted)confir!ed in 8rade-1* in %indh ?niver(it6J
(v+ Fhether the i!p#$ned order of a'(orption of re(pondent No. 4 3ith effect fro! the date of
hi( co!in$ on dep#tation co#ld have 'een pa((ed #nder (ection 24 of the %indh Civil %ervant(
Act, 1973.
*. Mr. A'd#l DafeeG Me!on, learned co#n(el appearin$ for the appellant, ha( vehe!entl6
contended that the (tat#( of re(pondent No. 4 in the @d#cation >epart!ent 3a( of an ad hoc
appointee and, therefore, he co#ld not have 'een a'(or'ed in the >epart!ent retro(pectivel6
partic#larl6 after havin$ 'een a'(or'ed 3ith i!!ediate effect #nder Notification dated *-4-19*6.
Di( f#rther (#'!i((ion 3a( that (ection 24 of the Act doe( not e!po3er the 8overn!ent to act
contrar6 to la3 and (tat#tor6 r#le(.
n the other hand, Mr. Ca1hr#ddin 8. @'rahi!, learned co#n(el appearin$ for re(pondent No. 4,
ha( #r$ed that #nder (ection 24 of the Act, the 8overn!ent en"o6( plenar6 po3er entitlin$ it to
pa(( an6 order if it con(ider( "#(t and proper in deviation of an6 (tat#tor6 r#le(. Accordin$ to
hi!, (ince re(pondent No. 4 3a( ta1en on dep#tation a( an @4ec#tive @n$ineer 3hen the
appellant 3a( 3or1in$ a( an A((i(tant @4ec#tive @n$ineer,, it 3a( "#(t and proper to have
a'(or'ed re(pondent No. 4 retro(pectivel6 fro! the date 3hen he "oined the >epart!ent. Di(
f#rther (#'!i((ion 3a( that the a'ove po3er of the 8overn!ent cannot 'e c#rtailed or controlled
'6 the Co#rt.
9. -t !a6 'e pertinent to a(certain 3hat 3a( the (tat#( of re(pondent No.4 in the @d#cation
>epart!ent a( a dep#tationi(t. -n thi( re$ard, it !a6 'e appropriate to refer to the definition of
=civil (ervant= $iven in cla#(e ('+ of (ection 2 of the Act, 3hich read( a( follo3(/-
=('+ =civil (ervant= !ean( a per(on 3ho i( a !e!'er of a civil (ervice of the 0rovince or hold( a
civil po(t in connection 3ith the affair( of the 0rovince, '#t doe( not incl#de--
(i+ a per(on 3ho i( on dep#tation to the 0rovince fro! the Cederation or an6 other 0rovince or
a#thorit67 or
(ii+ a per(on 3ho i( e!plo6ed on contract, or on 3or1-char$ed 'a(i(, or 3ho i( paid fro!
contin$encie(7 or
(iii+ a per(on 3ho i( a K3or1erA or =3or1!an= a( defined in the Cactorie( Act, 1934 (,,. of
1934+, or the For1!enA( Co!pen(ation Act, 1923 (.--- of 1923+7=
A per#(al of the a'ove-5#oted definition of =civil (ervant= indicate( that a per(on 3ho i( a
!e!'er of a civil (ervice of the 0rovince or hold( a civil po(t in connection 3ith the affair( of
the 0rovince, i( a civil (ervant, '#t a per(on 3ho i( on dep#tation to the 0rovince fro! the
Cederation or an6 other 0rovince or a#thorit6 i( not a civil (ervant for the p#rpo(e of the Act and
(o al(o a per(on on contract 'a(i( or a per(on 3ho i( a K3or1erA or =3or1!an= #nder the
Cactorie( Act, 1934, or the For1!enA( Co!pen(ation Act, 1923, a( the6 have 'een e4cl#ded
fro! the a'ove definition of Kcivil (ervantA.
1<. -t !a6 al(o 'e pertinent to refer to the definition of the ter! =ad hoc appoint!ent= $iven in
cla#(e (a+ of (ection 2 of the Act, 3hich provide( that it !ean( that appoint!ent of a d#l6
5#alified per(on !ade other3i(e than in accordance 3ith the pre(cri'ed !ethod of recr#it!ent,
pendin$ the recr#it!ent in accordance 3ith (#ch !ethod.
11. - !a6 al(o refer to the other provi(ion( of the Act. %ection 3 la6( do3n that the condition( of
civil (ervant( (hall 'e provided in the Act and the :#le(. Fherea(, (ection 4 provide( that ever6
civil (ervant (hall hold office d#rin$ the plea(#re of the 8overn!ent. %ection ; deal( 3ith the
appoint!ent( and provide( that appoint!ent to a civil (ervice of a 0rovince or a civil po(t in
connection 3ith the affair( of the 0rovince (hall 'e !ade in the pre(cri'ed !anner '6
8overn!ent or per(on a#thori(ed '6 it in that 'ehalf. %ection( 6 and 7 deal 3ith the pro'ation
and confir!ation. %ection * cover( (eniorit6. -t !a6 'e advanta$eo#( to reprod#ce the (a!e
3hich read( a( follo3(/-
=*. %eniorit6.--(l+ Cor proper ad!ini(tration of a (ervice, cadre or $rade, the appointin$ a#thorit6
(hall ca#(e a (eniorit6 li(t of the !e!'er( for the ti!e 'ein$ of (#ch (ervice, cadre or $rade to 'e
prepared, '#t nothin$ herein contained (hall 'e con(tr#ed to confer an6 ve(ted ri$ht to a
partic#lar (eniorit6 in (#ch (ervice, cadre or $rade, a( the ca(e !a6 'e. .
(2+ %#'"ect to the provi(ion( of (#'(ection (1+, the (eniorit6 of a civil (ervant (hall 'e rec1oned in
relation to other civil (ervant( 'elon$in$ to the (a!e (ervice or $rade, 3hether (ervin$ in the
(a!e depart!ent or office or not, a( !a6 'e pre(cri'ed.
(3+ %eniorit6 on initial appoint!ent to a (ervice, $rade or po(t (hall 'e deter!ined a( !a6 'e
pre(cri'ed.
(4+ %eniorit6 in the $rade to 3hich a civil (ervant i( pro!oted (hall ta1e effect fro! the date of
re$#lar appoint!ent to a po(t in that $rade/
0rovided that civil (ervant( 3ho are (elected for pro!otion to a hi$her $rade in one 'atch (hall,
on their pro!otion to the hi$her $rade, retain their inter (e (eniorit6 a( in the lo3er $rade.=
A plain readin$ of the a'ove (ection indicate( that (#'(ection (1+ for proper ad!ini(tration of a
(ervice, cadre or $rade envi(a$e( the preparation of a (eniorit6 li(t '6 the appointin$ a#thorit6
'#t at the (a!e ti!e it provide( that nothin$ contained therein (hall 'e con(tr#ed to confer an6
ve(ted ri$ht to a partic#lar (eniorit6 in (#ch (ervice, cadre or $rade a( the ca(e !a6 'e.
%#'(ection (2+ of the a'ove (ection la6( do3n that (#'"ect to (#'(ection (1+ (eniorit6 of a civil
(ervant (hall 'e rec1oned in relation to other civil (ervant( 'elon$in$ to the (a!e (ervice or
$rade, 3hether (ervin$ in the (a!e depart!ent or office or not in the !anner a( !a6 'e
pre(cri'ed. C#rther!ore, (#'(ection (3+ provide( that (eniorit6 on initial appoint!ent to a
(ervice, $rade or po(t (hall 'e deter!ined a( !a6 'e pre(cri'ed. Fherea(, (#'(ection (4+ la6(
do3n that (eniorit6 in the $rade to 3hich a civil (ervant i( pro!oted (hall ta1e effect fro! the
date of re$#lar appoint!ent to a po(t in that $rade. 0rovi(o to the a'ove (#'(ection provide( that
civil (ervant( 3ho are (elected for pro!otion to a hi$her $rade in one 'atch (hall on their
pro!otion to the hi$her $rade, retain their inter (e (eniorit6 in the lo3er $rade.
%ection( 9, 1< and 11 provide for pro!otion, po(tin$ and tran(fer(, and ter!ination of (ervice,
re(pectivel6. Fherea(, (ection 12 la6( do3n that a civil (ervant appointed to a hi$her po(t or
$rade ad hoc or te!porar6 or officiatin$ 'a(i( (hall 'e lia'le to rever(ion to hi( lo3er po(t or
$rade 3itho#t notice.
-t i( not nece((ar6 to refer to the other provi(ion( of the Act e4cept (ection 24 3hich read( a(
follo3(/-
=24. %avin$.---Nothin$ in thi( Act or in an6 r#le (hall 'e con(tr#ed to li!it or a'rid$e po3er of
8overn!ent to deal 3ith the ca(e of an6 civil (ervant in (#ch !anner a( !a6 appear to it to 'e
"#(t and e5#ita'le/
0rovided that, 3here thi( Act or an6 r#le i( applica'le to the ca(e of a civil (ervant, the ca(e (hallA
not 'e dealt 3ith in an6 !anner le(( favo#ra'le to hi! than that provided '6 thi( Act or (#ch
r#le.=
A plain readin$ of a'ove (ection indicate( that it provide( that nothin$ in the Act or in an6 r#le
(hall 'e con(tr#ed to li!it or a'rid$e po3er of 8overn!ent to deal 3ith the ca(e of an6 civil
(ervant in (#ch !anner a( !a6 appear to it to 'e "#(t and e5#ita'le. Do3ever, the provi(o to the
a'ove (ection la6( do3n that 3here the Act or an6 r#le i( applica'le to the ca(e of a civil (ervant,
the ca(e (hall not 'e dealt 3ith in an6 !anner le(( favo#ra'le to hi! than that provided '6 the
Act or (#ch r#le.
12. -t !a6 'e appropriate to refer at thi( "#nct#re %indh Civil %ervant( (Appoint!ent, 0ro!otion
and &ran(fer+= :#le(, 1974, hereinafter referred to a( the :#le( of 1974. :#le 3 of the (a!e
provide( that the appoint!ent to po(t( (hall 'e !ade '6 an6 of the t3o !ethod(, na!el6, '6 (i+
pro!otion and tran(fer in accordance 3ith 0art -- of the a'ove :#le(, and (ii+ initial appoint!ent
in accordance 3ith 0art --- of the (aid :#le(. -t !a6 al(o 'e (tated that :#le 7 of the :#le( of
1974 provide( that pro!otion( and tran(fer( to po(t( to 8rad( 2 to 1* (hall 'e !ade on the
reco!!endation of the appropriate >epart!ental 0ro!otion Co!!ittee and pro!otion( and
tran(fer( to po(t( in 8rade-19 and a'ove (hall 'e !ade on the reco!!endation of the 0rovincial
%election Board. &he provi(o to the a'ove :#le la6( do3n that the po(t( in 8rade-1* 3hich carr6
a (pecial pa6 3o#ld al(o 'e referred to the 0rovincial %election Board if propo(ed to 'e filled '6
pro!otion or tran(fer.
-t !a6 f#rther 'e (tated that :#le 1< of the :#le( of 1974 provide( that the initial appoint!ent to
po(t( in 8rade( 16 to 22 (hall 'e !ade if the po(t(,--
(a+ fall 3ithin the p#rvie3 of the Co!!i((ion, on the 'a(i( of e4a!ination or te(t to 'e
cond#cted '6 the Co!!i((ion7
('+ do not fall 3ithin the p#rvie3 of the Co!!i((ion, in the !anner a( !a6 'e deter!ined '6 the
8overn!ent.
Fherea(, :#le 11 of the :#le( of 1974 la6( do3n that initial appoint!ent to po(t( in 8rade( 3 to
1; (hall 'e !ade on the reco!!endation of the >epart!ental %election Co!!ittee if the
vacancie( in the(e 8rade( have 'een adverti(ed in ne3(paper(.
13. - !a6 al(o refer to the %indh Civil %ervant( (0ro'ation, Confir!ation and %eniorit6+ :#le(,
197;, hereinafter referred to a( the :#le( of 197;. :#le 1< of the (a!e provide( that (#'"ect to
the provi(ion of :#le 11, the (eniorit6 of a civil (ervant (hall 'e rec1oned fro! the date of hi(
re$#lar appoint!ent. -t f#rther provide( that no appoint!ent !ade on ad hoc 'a(i( (hall 'e
re$#lari(ed retro(pectivel6.
14. %ince re(pondent No. 4 3a( to 'e per!anentl6 a'(or'ed in 8rade-1* po(t, the nor!al
proced#re for appoint!ent 3a( thro#$h 0#'lic %ervice Co!!i((ion. C#rther!ore a( re(pondent
No. 4A( (tat#( a( a dep#tationi(t ! the @d#cation >epart!ent 3a( of an ad hoc appointee or a
te!porar6 appointee, he co#ld not have 'een confir!ed retro(pectivel6 a( ha( 'een held '6 the
&ri'#nal in the i!p#$ned "#d$!ent in vie3 of cla#(e (2+ of :#le 1< of the :#le( of 197;. No
do#'t #nder (ection 24 of the Act, the 8overn!ent en"o6( plenar6 po3er to deal 3ith the ca(e of
an6 civil (ervant in (#ch !anner a( !a6 appear to it to 'e "#(t and e5#ita'le not3ith(tandin$ an6
provi(ion of the Act and the :#le(. B#t the a'ove po3er i( to 'e e4erci(ed fairl6, rea(ona'l6 and
in a !anner 3hich !a6 not pre"#dice or ta1e a3a6 an6 intere(t or ri$ht of a third per(on. -t !a6
'e o'(erved that till the ti!e re(pondent No. 4 3a( a'(or'ed per!anentl6 thro#$h the afore(aid
notification dated *-4-19*6, he did not en"o6 the (tat#( of a civil (ervant a( he 3a( not covered
'6 the definition of =civil (ervant= defined '6 a'ove cla#(e ('+ of (ection 2 of the Act, 'ein$ a
dep#tationi(t and, therefore, till then, a'ove (ection 24 co#ld not have 'een pre((ed into (ervice
a( it refer( to a civil (ervant and not to a per(on 3ho 3a( an e!plo6ee of a corporate 'od6 li1e a
?niver(it6. -t !a6 'e (tated that even Mr. Ca1hr#ddin 8. @'rahi!, learned co#n(el for
re(pondent No. 4, did not clai! that the (tat#( of re(pondent No. 4 3a( of a civil (ervant prior to
hi( a'(orption in the @d#cation >epart!ent.
14-A. A( pointed o#t hereina'ove, the appoint!ent of re(pondent No. 4 '6 per!anent a'(orption
in the @d#cation >epart!ent 3a( in a !anner 3hich 3a( contrar6 to the (tat#tor6 r#le(. &he
5#e(tion, therefore, ari(e(, a( to 3hether (ection 24 of the Act ha( 'een ri$htl6 pre((ed into
(ervice in the ca(e in hand. -n thi( re$ard, it !a6 'e pertinent to refer to the ca(e of M#ha!!ad
-5'al Kho1har and 3 other( v. &he 8overn!ent of the 0#n"a' thro#$h the %ecretar6 to
8overn!ent of the 0#n"a', 2ahore and 2 other( (02> 1991 %C 3;+, 3herein (ection 23 of the
0#n"a' Civil %ervant( Act (tho#$h referred to in the a'ove "#d$!ent a( (ection 22+, 3hich
corre(pond( to (ection 24 of the Act, 3a( the (#'"ect-!atter of interpretation. -n the a'ove ca(e,
the fact( 3ere that the appellant( 3ere recr#ited directl6 in 197.1 thro#$h the 0#n"a' 0#'lic
%ervice Co!!i((ion a( A((i(tant @n$ineer( in the (ervice of @n$ineer(, B#ildin$( and :oad(
(Cla((--+. :e(pondent No. 2 3a( recr#ited in the 6ear 197; '6 the (a!e proce(( and accordin$ to
the r#le( and la3 applica'le. Do3ever, previo#( to hi( a'ove ind#ction, he had 3or1ed a( an
A((i(tant @n$ineer in the Ar!6 Corp. of @n$ineer( and 3a( on d#t6 on Kara1ora! Di$h3a6
0ro"ect. n 1*-7-1979, the follo3in$ order 3a( i((#ed '6 the %ecretar6 of the Co!!#nication
and For1( >epart!ent/-
=&he 8overnor of the 0#n"a' i( plea(ed to allo3 Capt. (:etd.+ A'd#l Ea66#!, A((i(tant
@n$ineer, pre(entl6 po(ted a( %.>.., Di$h3a6 Chiniot to co#nt Ar!6 %ervice (21-1<-1969 to
26-2-197;+ for the p#rpo(e( of (eniorit6 in hi( Civil Appoint!ent a( A((i(tant @n$ineer, in
rela4ation of r#le * of the 0#n"a' Civil %ervant( (Appoint!ent( and Condition( of %ervice+
:#le(, 1974. Con(e5#entl6, the (eniorit6 po(ition of thi( officer i( chan$ed fro! (erial No. 12;
of the 0rovi(ional (eniorit6 li(t, circ#lated vide No. %> (C9F+4-2)77, dated 1;-7-197*, to a
place 'et3een M)(. M#ha!!ad Caroo5 Chohan ((erial No. 2+ and Mr. M#ha!!ad A(hraf
>o$ar ((erial No. 3+ in the (aid li(t. &he 8overnor of the 0#n"a' i( f#rther plea(ed to rela4 the
condition of ; 6ear( (ervice in the >epart!ent a( A((i(tant @n$ineer, for pro!otion to the po(t of
@4ec#tive @n$ineer, pre(cri'ed #nder the Fe(t 0a1i(tan %ervice of Civil @n$ineer( (Cla((--+
:#le(, 1967, '6 con(iderin$ hi( (ervice rendered in the Ar!6 a( (ervice in the >epart!ent.
&he 8overnor of the 0#n"a' i( al(o plea(ed to allo3 the officer the 'enefit of hi( ar!6 (ervice
to3ard( pa6 and pen(ion.=
&he a'ove order 3a( pa((ed p#r(#ant to the repre(entation !ade '6 re(pondent No. 2. &he
appellant( conte(ted the a'ove order a( 'eca#(e of the (a!e the6 had 'eco!e "LMnor to a'ove
re(pondent No. 2, tho#$h the6 3ere ind#cted in (ervice prior to re(pondent No. 2 a( pointed o#t
hereina'ove. Do3ever, the6 lo(t 'efore the %ervice &ri'#nal. An appeal 3ith the leave of thi(
Co#rt 3a( 'ro#$ht 'efore thi( Co#rt. %hafi#r :ah!an, H., 3ho rendered the leadin$ "#d$!ent,
hi$hli$hted the fact#! that (ection( * of the Cederal Civil %ervant( Act, 1973, North-Fe(t
Crontier 0rovince Civil %ervant( Act, 1973, and %indh Civil %ervant( Act, 1973, 3hich deal 3ith
the 5#e(tion of (eniorit6, provide that =nothin$ herein contained (hall 'e con(tr#ed to confer an6
ve(ted ri$ht to a partic#lar (eniorit6 in (#ch (ervice, cadre or $rade, a( the ca(e !a6 'e=,
3herea(, (ection 7 of the 0#n"a' Civil %ervant( Act, 1974, 3hich corre(pond( 3ith the a'ove
(ection( of the a'ove act(, doe( not contain the a'ove 3ord(. n the 'a(i( of the a'ove
difference in lan$#a$e it 3a( concl#ded that =the o'vio#( concl#(ion i( that in the 0#n"a' the
(eniorit6 contin#e( to 'e a ve(ted ri$ht of a civil (ervant, el(e3here it did not=. &he "#d$!ent of
the %ervice &ri'#nal 3a( (et a(ide and the (ervice appeal 3a( allo3ed partl6 to the e4tent that the
order pa((ed '6 the 8overnor conferrin$ (eniorit6 on re(pondent No. 2 '6 $ivin$ hi! 'enefit of
(ervice rendered for! 21-1<-1969 to 26-2-197; in the Ar!6 3a( declared to 'e #ltra vire(
(ection 23 of the 0#n"a' Civil %ervant( Act and of no le$al effect '#t the a'ove len$th of (ervice
3a( rec1oned for the p#rpo(e( of pa6 and pen(ion.
:#(ta! %. %idh3a, H., 3ho appended hi( (eparate note, inter alia dilated #pon (ection 23 of the
0#n"a' Civil %ervant( Act, 1974, and concl#ded a( follo3(/--
=%#rel6, the o'"ect of (ection 22 of the 0#n"a' Civil %ervant( Act, 1974, 3a( not to ena'le the
8overnor to fla$rantl6 (tri1e do3n the ver6 la3 he 3a( to #phold '6 it( e4erci(e. %till f#rther,
the order of the 8overnor rela4in$ the condition of ; 6ear( (ervice in the >epart!ent a( A((i(tant
@n$ineer for pro!otion of the (aid re(pondent No. 2 to the po(t of @4ec#tive @n$ineer o#t of
t#rn, contravene( the ri$ht( of other( 'eca#(e the re(pondent ha( 'een $iven forced
(eniorit6NNNNNN. &he $rant of (eniorit6 or pro!otion #nder (ection 22, #nle(( it !eet( the
(trict te(t of 'ein$ "#(t and fair, can onl6 'e a colo#ra'le violation of the la3 #nder the $#i(e of
it( e4erci(e, 3hich cannot 'e per!itted. >i(cretion, even 3here o#t3ardl6 appearin$ a( a'(ol#te,
3ill al3a6( 'e treated a( 5#alified '6 the ter!( and (pirit of the provi(ion in 3hich it occ#r( and
'6 the o'"ect of the la3. %ee Cederation of 0a1i(tan v. M#ha!!ad %aif#llah Khan 02> 19*9 %C
166, 3here the 0re(ident of 0a1i(tanA( e4erci(e of di(cretionar6 po3er( #nder Article ;*(2+ of the
Con(tit#tion 3ere (tr#c1 do3n for violatin$ the ter!( and (pirit of that Article. &he order of the
learned 8overnor in the in(tant ca(e not onl6 violate( the la3 declared '6 thi( Co#rt, 3hich
(tri1e( do3n retro(pective re$#lari(ation, '#t directl6 contravene( :#le * of the 1967 and 1974
:#le( and adver(el6 affect( the (eniorit6 and ri$ht of pro!otion of 1974 'atch of direct ind#ctee(
and - 3o#ld, therefore, 3ith profo#nd re(pect to the learned 8overnor, declare that the (a!e
de(erve( to 'e (et a(ide/=
1;. :e(pondent No. 2 in the a'ove ca(e, filed a revie3 petition a$ain(t the a'ove "#d$!ent,
3hich 3a( di(po(ed of thro#$h a "#d$!ent #nder the title Capt. (:etd.+ A'd#l Ea66#!,
@4ec#tive @n$ineer v. M#ha!!ad -5'al Kho1har and 4 other( (02> 1992 %C 1*4+. Fhile
di(!i((in$ the a'ove revie3 petition, %hafi#r :ah!an, H. and >r. Na(i! Da(an %hah, H. have
di(c#((ed a( to the (cope of a'ove (ection 23, a( #nder/-
S#A./%R RA#MA$, "9---=6. A( re$ard( the re(id#al re!edial po3er of the 8ovenor
contained in (ection 23 of the 0#n"a' Civil %ervant( Act, the 'o#nt6 and the $enero(it6 of the
8overnor ha( 'een placed #nder a li!it. -t i( not to 'e (o e4erci(ed (o a( to infrin$e, i!pair or
c#rtail an6 of the (tat#tor6 ri$ht( of the 'eneficiar6 hi!(elf. &hi( i( the reco$nition and effect of
Article 4 and Article 24< of the Con(tit#tion. &he ar$#!ent that the e4erci(e of thi( po3er can
ride ro#$h over the (tat#tor6 ri$ht( of other( 3o#ld a!o#nt to ne$ation of r#le of la3, $oin$
'e6ond the Con(tit#tional para!eter(, (#'ordinatin$ of (tat#tor6 ri$ht( to e4ec#tive fiat. Fhat
follo3( i( that li1e all a#thoritie(, the 8overnor in the e4erci(e of re(id#al po3er i( a( !#ch to 'e
$#ided and 'o#nd '6 the la3 a( an6one el(e e4cept that hi( 'o#nt6 and $enero(it6 ha( 'een !ade
li!itle((. De can $rant a( !#ch 'enefit( a( he 3ant( to and con(ider( "#(t and fair '#t not at the
co(t of other(, not even at the (li$hte(t co(t of the (tat#tor6 ri$ht( alread6 $ranted to the
'eneficiar6. &hi( i( a po3er of redre((al, of providin$ a relief and not of i!pairin$ (tat#tor6
ri$ht( of an6one.=
$AS/M #ASA$ S#A#, "9--B#t a( ri$htl6 pointed o#t '6 !6 learned 'rother %hafi#r :ah!an,
H., the re(id#al po3er conferred on the 8overnor #nder (ection 23 of the 0#n"a' Civil %ervant(
Act, 1974, e4tend( onl6 to pa((in$ a "#(t and e5#ita'le order 3hich !a6 'enefit the a$$rieved
civil (ervant to alleviate hi( hard(hip '#t (#ch an order cannot i!pair an6 of the (tat#tor6 ri$ht(
ve(tin$ in other civil (ervant(. &h#(, in the 0#n"a' 3here (eniorit6 contin#e( to 'e a ve(ted ri$ht,
the (eniorit6 po(ition of other civil (ervant( cannot 'e affected 3hile #ndoin$ the hard(hip of
another civil (ervant ina(!#ch. a( (ection 23 confer( a po3er of redre((al 3hich doe( not e4tend
to i!pairin$ the (tat#tor6 ri$ht( of other(.=
16. &he fact( of the a'ove ca(e are di(tin$#i(ha'le fro! the in(tant ca(e, ina(!#ch a( in the
a'ove ca(e, the (ervice rendered in the Ar!6 3a( treated a( (ervice in the >epart!ent 3hich i(
not the ca(e involved in the ca(e in hand, '#t the (a!e i( relevant on the (cope of (ection 23 of
the 0#n"a' Civil %ervant( Act, 1974, 3hich corre(pond( to (ection 24 of the Act. &he order of
declinin$ leave to appeal in the ca(e of %. Da'i' Daider v. &he %ecretar6-8eneral, Mini(tr6 of
-nterior, -(la!a'ad and 14 other( 1991 %CM: 1;<;, in !6 vie3, on all fo#r( i( applica'le to the
in(tant ca(e. &he fact( in the a'ove ca(e 3ere that the petitioner 3a( appointed in the 6ear 1974
a( Cield -nve(ti$atin$ fficer (8rade-11+ in the 0a1i(tan Narcotic( Control Board. De !oved
thro#$h hi( depart!ent for (ervin$ the Cederal -nve(ti$atin$ A$enc6. -n Ma6, 1977, he 3a(
ta1en a( a dep#tationi(t in the C.-A. De 3a( a'(or'ed in the C.-.A. a( an -n(pector in the 6ear
19*2. -n the (eniorit6 li(t prepared and circ#lated in 19*4, he 3a( $iven hi( place on the date of
entr6 in C.-.A. i.e. hi( per!anent a'(orption on 12-;-19*2. De conte(ted the a'ove (eniorit6 li(t
and clai!ed (eniorit6 fro! 9-;-1977 3hen he 3a( 'ro#$ht in the C.-.A. on dep#tation. Di( a'ove
clai! 3a( t#rned do3n '6 the >epart!ent. &here#pon, he filed a (ervice appeal 3hich 3a(
re"ected '6 the %ervice &ri'#nal. A$ain(t the a'ove "#d$!ent, a petition for leave to appeal 3a(
filed, 3hich 3a( declined thro#$h the a'ove order. Fhile di(!i((in$ the petition for leave, the
follo3in$ o'(ervation( 3ere !ade/-
=;. A reference to :#le( 3 and 1* of the Cederal -nve(ti$ation A$enc6 (Appoint!ent, 0ro!otion
and &ran(fer+ :#le( !a1e( it clear that the appoint!ent '6 tran(fer co#ld onl6 'e on dep#tation
for a (pecified period and #nder :#le 1* direct appoint!ent co#ld 'e !ade onl6 on the
reco!!endation of the >epart!ental %election Co!!ittee after the vacancie( had 'een
adverti(ed and the candidate( intervie3ed. &he proced#re follo3ed in the ca(e of the
appoint!ent of the petitioner in 1977 3a( not one #nder :#le 1*, '#t #nder :#le 3. -t 3a( onl6
in 19*2 that he 3a( appointed to the Cederal -nve(ti$ation A$enc6 and he cannot ta1e hi( ca(e
earlier to that for rec1onin$ hi( (eniorit6.=
17. -n the a'ove reported ca(e, C.-A. 3hile ta1in$ the petitioner on dep#tation, !ade it clear that
he 3a( te!porar6 and on dep#tation, 3herea( in the ca(e in hand tho#$h the notification dated
11-*-19*; (tate( that re(pondent No. 4 3a( ta1en 3ith i!!ediate effect on dep#tation for a
period of t3o 6ear(, it 3a( not (tated that it 3a( a te!porar6 appoint!ent a( it 3a( done in the
a'ove reported ca(e. -n !6 vie3, the a'ove variation doe( not chan$e the le$al po(ition.
:e(pondent No. 4 3a( ta1en on dep#tation for a period of t3o 6ear(A and, therefore, it 3a(
evident that he 3a( in the @d#cation >epart!ent on te!porar6 and ad hoc 'a(i( till the ti!e he
3a( to 'e per!anentl6 a'(or'ed. A( pointed o#t hereina'ove, it 3a( not even the ca(e of the
learned co#n(el for re(pondent No. 4, that prior to the i((#ance of the a'ove Notification dated
*-4-19*6 re(pondent No. 4 had 'eco!e civil (ervant.
1*. -n !6 vie3, the e4erci(e of po3er '6 the 8overn!ent #nder (ection 24 of the Act for
a'(or'in$ re(pondent No. 4 3ith retro(pective effect i.e. 3ith effect fro! 31-7-19*; after the
e4pir6 of nearl6 three 6ear( 3a( not 3arranted '6 fact and la3. -t !a6 'e pointed o#t that
re(pondent No. 4 in hi( a'ove application dated 2-12-19*; did not re5#e(t for hi( a'(orption in
the @d#cation >epart!ent 3ith retro(pective effect. %i!ilarl6, in the (#!!ar6 placed 'efore the
then Chief Mini(ter, on 1*-1-19*6 (at pa$e 7 of 0art -- of the paper 'oo1+, it 3a( not
reco!!ended that re(pondent No. 4 'e a'(or'ed 3ith retro(pective effect. Con(e5#entl6, the
a'ove notification dated *-4-19*6 a'(or'ed re(pondent No. 4 in the @d#cation >epart!ent 3ith
i!!ediate effect and not retro(pectivel6. -t (ee!( that re(pondent No. 4 did not prote(t or !a1e
clai! for $ettin$ hi!(elf a'(or'ed retro(pectivel6 till the filin$ of hi( application after the e4pir6
of nearl6 three 6ear( on 22-3-19*9, to the then Chief Mini(ter %indh. &he a'ove application 3a(
not entertaina'le after the e4pir6 of (#ch a lon$ period. &he (#!!ar6 prepared on the 'a(i( of
the a'ove application (at pa$e 11 of 0art -- of the paper 'oo1+ apparentl6 doe( not reflect correct
fact#al po(ition ina(!#ch a( it ha( 'een (tated in the (a!e that =&hi( had definitel6 placed Mr.
A1'ar D#((ain :a(hdi in a di(advanta$eo#( po(ition, 'eca#(e !ean3hile (o!e H#nior A((i(tant
@n$ineer( of the >epart!ent 3ho, at the ti!e of Mr. :a(hdiA( ind#ction in @d#cation >epart!ent
3ere not eli$i'le for pro!otion on acco#nt of their not havin$ rendered the pre(cri'ed len$th of
(ervice i.e. ; 6ear( 3herea( Mr. :a(hdi 3a( alread6 in B-1* 3hen he "oined the @d#cation
>epart!ent=.
19. Cact#all6 the appellant had co!pleted hi( five 6ear( (ervice on 1-4-19*; a( he 3a( appointed
a( A((i(tant @4ec#tive @n$ineer in 8rade-17 thro#$h the 0#'lic %ervice Co!!i((ion 3ith effect
fro! 2-4-19*2 a( pointed o#t hereina'ove and, therefore, he 3a( ver6 !#ch eli$i'le for
pro!otion 3hen re(pondent No. 4 3a( ta1en on dep#tation on 31-7-19*;. &here i( al(o no
fo#ndation to !a1e aver!ent in the a'ove (#!!ar6 that the >epart!ent intended initiall6 to
a'(or' re(pondent No. 4 retro(pectivel6 a( neither re(pondent No. 4 in hi( a'ove application
dated 2-12-19*; 3hich 3a( filed after e4pir6 of a'o#t fo#r !onth( fro! havin$ "oined a( a
dep#tationi(t, clai!ed a'(orption retro(pectivel6 nor thi( 3a( (o (tated in the a'ove fir(t
(#!!ar6 a( pointed o#t hereina'ove. - a!, therefore, of the vie3 that the e4erci(e of po3er '6
the 8overn!ent #nder (ection 24 of the Act in the pre(ent ca(e doe( not fall 3ithin the
para!eter( indicated in the a'ove "#d$!ent( in the ca(e of M#ha!!ad -5'al Kho1har and other(
((#pra+ and the ca(e of Capt. (:etd.+ A'd#l Ea66#! ((#pra+, a( the i!p#$ned order cannot 'e
treated a( "#(t, fair and e5#ita'le. 1t i( tr#e that in (ection * of the Act it ha( 'een provided that a
civil (ervant ha( no ve(ted ri$ht in the (eniorit6. -n !6 vie3, the 5#e(tion in the pre(ent ca(e i(
not (i!plicitcr fi4ation of (eniorit6 inter (e 'et3een the appellant and re(pondent No. 4, '#t the
point in i((#e i(, a( to 3hether re(pondent No. 4 co#ld have 'een per!anentl6 a'(or'ed in the
@d#cation >epart!ent 3ith retro(pective effect '6 virt#e of (ection 24 of the Act, 3hich
ad!ittedl6 had adver(el6 affected the appellant a( to hi( pro(pect( of f#t#re pro!otion. &he
appellant !a6 not have an6 ve(ted ri$ht in a partic#lar (eniorit6 in vie3 of a'ove (ection * of the
Act '#t neverthele((, he ha( (#fficient loc#( (tandi to in(i(t #pon that the 8overn!ent (ho#ld act
in accordance 3ith %ervice 2a3():#le( and not in contravention thereof a( to affect hi!
adver(el6, in p#rpoted e4erci(e of it( plenar6 po3er #nder (ection 24 of the Act.
2<. Accordin$ to the findin$ of the &ri'#nal, even the per!anent a'(orption of re(pondent No. 4
in the @d#cation >epart!ent 3itho#t the clearance '6 the >epart!ental %election Co!!ittee i.e.
>.C.C. 3a( irre$#lar and co#ld not have 'een done even '6 invo1in$ %ection 24 of the Act. &he
relevant portion of the "#d$!ent of the &ri'#nal read( a( follo3(/-
=-n the li$ht of a'ove a#thoritie(, 3e are inclined to the vie3 that it 3o#ld not 'e #n"#(tified if
the 8overn!ent in e4erci(e of it( plenar6 "#ri(diction #nder (ection 24 hereina'ove pa((ed an
order (ee1in$ to i!prove the private re(pondentA( (eniorit6 vi(-a-vi( the appellant '6 allo3in$
hi! the 'enefit of hi$her po(ition( that he had held prior to hi( a'(orption in 8overn!ent
(ervice. B#t thi( co#ld 'e done onl6 after the private re(pondentA( a'(orption (appoint!ent+ in
8overn!ent (ervice 3a( re$#lari(ed in accordance 3ith the pre(cri'ed proced#re. Cor
co!pliance of thi( re5#ire!ent, all that i( needed i( to o'tain the approval of %election
Co!!ittee i.e. >.0.C. a( re$ard( fitne(( of the private re(pondent for the po(t of @4ec#tive
@n$ineer. -n o#r opinion neither (ection 24 hereina'ove nor the afore!entioned precedent ca(e(
(ee! to concede po3er to the 8overn!ent to (#'(tit#te it(elf in place of the %election
Co!!ittee)Board for the p#rpo(e( of deter!inin$ the fitne(( of the private re(pondent for the "o'
in 5#e(tion. -f (#ch po3er i( allo3ed, it !a6 'e !i(#(ed and there'6 $reat #nnece((ar6
!i(#nder(tandin$ a$ain(t the 8overn!ent. Moreover if po3er of !a1in$ (election( on !erit( i(
ve(ted in 8overn!ent it i( li1el6 to 'e repeatedl6 #(ed renderin$ the (election a#thoritie( (#ch a(
0#'lic %ervice Co!!i((ion and >epart!ental Co!!ittee()Board a'(ol#tel6 red#ndant.=
21. &he a'ove concl#(ion lend( (#pport to !6 vie3 that the e4erci(e of po3er '6 the
8overn!ent #nder (ection 24 of the Act after the e4pir6 of !ore than three 6ear( fro! the date
of i((#ance of notification dated *-4-19*6 a'(or'in$ re(pondent No. 4 3ith i!!ediate effect for
$ivin$ retro(pective a'(orption 3ith effect fro! 31-7-19*; 3a( not 3arranted '6 fact( and la3.
&he fact#! that re(pondent No. 4 had 'eco!e @4ec#tive @n$ineer in the %indh ?niver(it6 or that
he 3a( 'ro#$ht on dep#tation in the @d#cation >epart!ent on 31-7-19*; a( an @4ec#tive
@n$ineer (8rade-1*+ 3hen the appellant 3a( onl6 A((i(tant @4ec#tive @n$ineer in 8rade-17 i(
of no con(e5#ence, a( ad!ittedl6 the appellant "oined a( an A((i(tant @4ec#tive @n$ineer,
A$ric#lt#ral ?niver(it6, &ando Ha!, a'o#t t3o 3ee1( 'efore re(pondent No. 4 had "oined %indh
?niver(it6. C#rther!ore, the appellant "oined the @d#cation >epart!ent on re$#lar 'a(i( thro#$h
the 0#'lic %ervice Co!!i((ion 3ith effect fro! 2-4-19*2 and, therefore, in nor!al co#r(e #pon
the e4pir6 of five 6ear( period on 1-4-19*7, the appellant had 'eco!e eli$i'le for pro!otion a(
@4ec#tive @n$ineer in 8rade-1* a( five 6ear( len$th of (ervice had 'een treated a( the
re5#ire!ent for pro!otion in the a'ove t3o (#!!arie( placed 'efore the then Chief Mini(ter.
&hi( 3a( (o provided even #nder the late Fe(t 0a1i(tan %ervice of Civil @n$ineer( (Cla((--+
:#le(, 1969 a( (tated in the ca(e of M#ha!!ad -5'al Kho1har ((#pra+. Do3ever, he 3a(
act#all6 pro!oted a( @4ec#tive @n$ineer 3ith effect fro! 11-12-19*; on re$#lar 'a(i( i.e. 'efore
re(pondent No. 4 3a( per!anentl6 a'(or'ed in the @d#cation >epart!ent #pon hi( application
dated 2-12-19*;. -n !6 vie3, till re(pondent No. 4 3a( per!anentl6 a'(or'ed in the @d#cation
>epart!ent, he had no lien or ri$ht in the @d#cation >epart!ent e4cept a( a dep#tationi(t lia'le
to 'e reverted 'ac1 #pon the e4pir6 of t3o 6ear( period or earlier in ca(e it 3a( (o decided '6 the
co!petent a#thorit6. :e(pondent No. 4A( ca(e 3a( not a ca(e of hard(hip '#t he vol#ntaril6 opted
to "oin the @d#cation >epart!ent. -t (ee!( that recentl6 thro#$h a Notification dated 14-9-1992,
he ha( 'een appointed '6 tran(fer 3ith i!!ediate effect a( %#perintendin$ @n$ineer (B0%-19+ in
the Co!!#nication and For1( >epart!ent. &he 8overn!ent i( free to $rant an6 'enefit to
re(pondent No. 4 #nder (ection 24 of the Act (o lon$ a( e4erci(e of (#ch po3er i( "#(t and
e5#ita'le and it doe( not, in an6 3a6, affect or pre"#dice a third per(on. -n the a'ove ca(e of
M#ha!!ad -5'al Kho1har (%#pra+, thi( Co#rt !aintained the order of 8overn!ent of 0#n"a' of
allo3in$ the 'enefit of Ar!6 %ervice to3ard( pa6 and pen(ion '#t (tr#c1 do3n the portion of the
order 3hich p#rported to treat hi( Ar!6 (ervice for the p#rpo(e of rec1onin$ hi( (eniorit6 in the
depart!ent a( that portion had affected the ri$ht of the appellant(.
22. &he #p(hot of the a'ove di(c#((ion i( that - a! inclined to allo3 the a'ove appeal to the
e4tent that re(pondent No. 4A( a'(orption in the @d#cation >epart!ent 3ith retro(pective effect
i( declared a( not (#(taina'le in la3.
(R0'R (. -#' C(%R-
-n ter!( of the !a"orit6 vie3, the appeal i( allo3ed 3ith no order a( to co(t( to the e4tent of
declarin$ that re(pondent No. 4A( a'(orption in the @d#cation >epart!ent 3ith retro(pective
effect i( not (#(taina'le in la3.
M.BA.)A-994)% rder accordin$l6.