PESHAWAR (Kashifuddin Syed): A major scandal involving large-scale irregularities in the seniority list of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Secretariat has surfaced, with the Services Tribunal strictly directing the assembly administration to recompile the list in accordance with the law and merit.
The directives were issued by the Services Tribunal on a petition filed by Assistant Secretary Aamir Khan, who challenged the inclusion of several employees in the seniority list on political grounds. The petitioner, represented by Ali Azeem Advocate, alleged that junior officers were granted senior status through political influence, bypassing established rules and regulations.
According to the written judgment, the tribunal has ordered that the seniority of all officers, including the Secretary of the Assembly, must be determined strictly under constitutional provisions and without any external pressure.
The case highlighted significant procedural lapses within the assembly’s administrative wing. The petitioner noted that while he was appointed as Assistant Secretary on Oct 11, 2019, a seniority list issued just a week later on Oct 18 placed him at serial number 12, followed by Muhammad Sharif Khan at serial number 13. However, subsequent adjustments and promotions, including the appointment of Syed Qamar Shah as Special Secretary in Grade 19, were deemed illegal and in violation of the prescribed rules.
The tribunal observed with concern that, despite being given multiple opportunities to explain the discrepancies, the Assembly Secretary—a respondent in the case—failed to appear before the Law Tribunal or record a statement.
The written decision further emphasises the need for transparency in the promotion process for all high-ranking posts within the secretariat. The Services Tribunal has granted the Assembly Secretariat a two-month deadline to implement the orders and ensure a merit-based seniority list is finalised.
