ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that promotion is a fundamental legal right for every government employee and must be granted based on merit and performance. The court urged public institutions to ensure fairness and transparency in handling promotion cases.
In a five-page written judgment by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, the court highlighted the case of a senior Police Service officer who was denied promotion three times. Despite receiving excellent performance reports from 2013 to 2018, the officer’s promotion was withheld without strong justification.
The court clarified that the officer’s lack of a 2019 performance report, due to not being posted in the field, should not have counted against him. It criticized the High-Powered Selection Board for including unproven negative remarks and making a decision lacking solid evidence.
Importantly, the Supreme Court noted that pro forma promotions are a recognized legal right and may be granted even after an employee retires, provided they are eligible. It added that denying promotion without proof harms the officer’s reputation unfairly.
The bench overturned the Sindh High Court’s earlier ruling and ordered the board to re-evaluate the officer’s case strictly on merit within two months. The decision marks a major step toward ensuring justice in public service careers.
Furthermore, the court directed all government departments to avoid unnecessary delays and take timely, evidence-based decisions in promotion cases. It emphasized that fair treatment is crucial, especially for retired or soon-to-retire officers.