Posts of Patwaris: IHC admonishes administration over ‘inaccurate’ ad

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction with the Islamabad administration for failing to issue an accurate advertisement for Patwari posts and instructed that a corrected advertisement be published.

A single bench of Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, hearing a case regarding private individuals performing official duties in Islamabad’s Patwari circles, sharply criticised the administration, stating, “You have now even established a constitutional court, yet the work is still not being done.”

He further commented that it would be unthinkable to appoint someone from Islamabad to a position in Punjab or Sindh.

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He pointed out that in Rawalpindi, a Patwari from Chakwal is never appointed, nor is anyone from Rawalpindi posted to Jhelum, questioning why such practices are tolerated when it comes to Islamabad.

The original advertisement had proposed that individuals from across the country could apply for the posts and would be hired based on a quota system.

Justice Kayani remarked that everything was being done to facilitate the authorities, adding that the courts had issued rulings on every matter. He also noted that it seemed the authorities had decided not to act in good faith and observed that there was no penalty for making mistakes.

He further questioned how candidates from all provinces could be appointed to local posts, reiterating that this court had issued several verdicts on the matter. He emphasised that the quota system was uniform across Pakistan.

The bench observed that dishonesty and the misuse of authority were widespread, which is why local body elections had yet to be held. It further noted, “Now you have even established a constitutional court, yet still, no work is being done.”

He condemned the ICT administration for failing to publish a proper advertisement for the posts, asking, “Does every task have to be completed only after contempt proceedings.”

Justice Kayani also highlighted the irony of the situation, noting that the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad – Irfan Nawaz Memon – who had been convicted by this court for misconduct, was later awarded a presidential medal.

The bench warned that if a contempt of court notice were issued, he would not act like Justice Babar Sattar and grant additional time but would instead have the officials handcuffed and sent to prison immediately.

The judge then directed that a revised advertisement be issued before the next hearing and postponed the case until the following month.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025