The Supreme Court of Pakistan dismissed the federal government’s appeal as time-barred and also rejected the government’s request to excuse the delay.
Justice Ayesha Malik, while hearing the federal government’s appeal against the Finance Division’s Service Tribunal decision,issued a written decision in which it clarified that the government is not a unique questioner, it will also have to abide by the law like a common citizen.
The court said in its decision that the state imposes the law on citizens, but cannot make excuses itself. The Supreme Court clarified that rules or administrative difficulties within offices cannot be above the law and the government’s transfer of officers or non-holding of committee meetings will not be accepted as a justification for excusing the delay.
The decision said that the burden of bureaucratic laxity or administrative failure cannot be placed on the court or any other party and the law should not be subject to the convenience of the enforcement officers but should be bound by discipline.
The federal government had filed an appeal 20 days late after the stipulated 60-day period, which the court rejected under the requirements of law and transparency.
The Supreme Court, while issuing the decision, also said that the government will get the same protocol in court as is given to the common man and there will be no concession or preference.
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