LHC gives establishment secretary until November 26 to implement DIG promotion tribunal orders

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has given Federal Secretary of the Establishment Division Nabeel Awan until November 26, 2026,

LAHORE:  The Lahore High Court (LHC) has given Federal Secretary of the Establishment Division Nabeel Awan until November 26, 2026, to implement the recommendations of the Federal Service Tribunal (FST) regarding the promotion of a Deputy Inspector General (DIG), warning that failure to comply could result in contempt of court proceedings.

The matter came before a single-member bench headed by Chief Justice Aalia Neelum on Tuesday during the hearing of a contempt petition filed against the federal secretary over the alleged failure to implement the tribunal’s orders concerning the officer’s promotion.

Federal Secretary Nabeel Awan and Joint Secretary Hafiz Ishaq appeared before the court after being summoned in connection with the proceedings.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum directed the Establishment Division to submit and implement the recommendations issued by the Federal Service Tribunal by November 26. She made it clear that the court would consider initiating contempt proceedings if the proposed recommendations failed to satisfy its directions.

Addressing the federal secretary, the chief justice warned that non-compliance with the court’s requirements could have legal consequences.

“If the court is not satisfied with your recommendations, contempt of court proceedings will begin,” she observed during the proceedings.

The hearing witnessed an exchange between the court and the government’s legal representatives after counsel for the Establishment Secretary requested additional time to carry out the tribunal’s decision.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the delay, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum directly addressed Nabeel Awan and remarked, “Secretary Establishment, you have become stubborn.”

Responding to the chief justice’s observation, the government lawyer maintained that there was no intention to create a confrontation with the judiciary.

“No, we have no dispute with the court,” the counsel responded.

The federal government’s representative further explained that the promotion matter required consideration by the Central Selection Board (CSB), which is chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The counsel argued that the relevant process needed to be completed through the board before the tribunal’s recommendations could be implemented.

On this basis, the government sought additional time from the court to complete the required administrative and official procedures.

However, the chief justice emphasised the need to ensure compliance with the tribunal’s directions and granted the Establishment Division a final deadline of November 26, 2026.

The court also clarified that the federal secretary would face contempt proceedings if the recommendations were not submitted and implemented in accordance with its instructions by the specified date.

Following the proceedings, the court adjourned the hearing until November 26, directing the concerned federal officials to ensure compliance before the next hearing.

The case concerns the implementation of Federal Service Tribunal directions regarding a DIG’s promotion and the responsibility of the Establishment Division to act on the tribunal’s decision.

The next hearing is expected to determine whether the federal government has fulfilled the court’s requirements or whether further legal action will be initiated against the Establishment Secretary for alleged non-compliance.