The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has termed the recent court stay order on its ongoing recruitment as “baseless and premature,” saying the petition was filed without presenting the department’s stance and is aimed at sabotaging the process.
According to an official position shared by ANF, the complaint by petitioner Constable Shafiq regarding non-holding of Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meetings appears unfounded.
ANF officials stated that 3 DPC meetings have already been held in the last two years. Another DPC meeting is also in process and shall be completed before finalization of Recruitment 2026. All eligible candidates will be considered and seniority of serving individuals will not be affected,”_ the statement said.
The department clarified that the current recruitment is not against vacancies reserved for promotees. _“Ongoing recruitment is against vacancies which can only be filled by direct enrollment,”_ ANF said.
Regarding the petitioner’s objection to secondment and transfer postings, ANF said all such appointments are covered under the APT Rules of 2010, promulgated by the Establishment Division.
”These rules can only be changed by the Establishment Division or the Cabinet,”_ it added.
ANF pointed out that the court’s decision was given _in absentia_ without hearing the department’s viewpoint.
” In such cases, departmental views are always sought before giving any decision,”_ the force said.
The department further alleged that the petitioner violated departmental procedures by approaching the court directly instead of using proper channels.
ANF said it will file an early hearing petition for fixation of the case. The court will be apprised of the factual and legal position and requested to withdraw the stay order so that the recruitment can be completed on time.
Following the facts presented by ANF, questions have also been raised whether the hasty court order was an innocent mistake, made due to being misled by the petitioner, or an intentional move to impede ANF’s fight against drugs and the billions involved in the narcotics business.
ANF reiterated that timely completion of recruitment is crucial to strengthen the force in its operations against drug trafficking across the country.
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