SHC rejects contract employee’s regularisation plea

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has dismissed a petition filed by a contract employee of the Zulfiqarabad

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has dismissed a petition filed by a contract employee of the Zulfiqarabad Development Authority seeking permanent employment, ruling that the request was not maintainable at the preliminary stage.

The constitutional bench held that a contract employee does not acquire a legal right to permanent employment merely by serving for a long period. The court observed that contractual appointments remain subject to the terms and conditions agreed upon at the time of hiring.

According to the court, the petitioner’s employment contract expired in 2024 after completing its specified term. Since the contract had already ended, the petitioner could not claim permanent status solely on the basis of continued service.

Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon observed that employment on a contractual basis does not automatically create a legal entitlement to permanent appointment. He noted that permanent regularisation can only be granted if there is a relevant law or an approved policy issued by the competent authority.

The court ruled that, in the absence of such legal provisions or an authorised policy, the petition seeking permanent employment had no legal basis. Consequently, the constitutional bench declared the petition inadmissible at the initial stage and dismissed it.