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ISLAMABAD, Feb 03 (APP):The Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan has dismissed a petition for leave to appeal challenging the non-allocation of marks for Shahadat-ul-Alamia in the appointment of a Qari (BPS-12), thereby upholding the decision of the Peshawar High Court.
According to the written detailed judgment approved for reporting, a two-member bench comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Muhammad Karim Khan Agha announced the verdict after hearing FCPLA No. 338 of 2025 filed by Shamshuddin. The petitioner had challenged the October 23, 2025 judgment of the Mingora Bench of the Peshawar High Court.
As per the court’s findings, Shamshuddin had applied for the post of Qari (BPS-12) in the Elementary and Secondary Education Department, Chitral. The petitioner contended that he possessed the qualification of Shahadat-ul-Alamia; however, the authorities did not award marks for this qualification, which adversely affected his merit position and resulted in his non-selection.
The petitioner had also challenged the condition mentioned in the advertisement, under which no marks were allocated for Shahadat-ul-Alamia, Darja Alia or Darja Khasa for the post of Qari, arguing that the condition was illegal and unjustified.
The court held that the advertisement had clearly stated that marks for Shahadat-ul-Alamia would be admissible only for the posts of Arabic Teacher (AT) and Theology Teacher (TT), while no marks would be awarded for this qualification for other cadres, including the post of Qari.
The bench further observed that the prescribed qualification for Qari (BPS-12) was a bachelor’s degree along with a certificate in Qirat from a recognized institution, as clearly provided under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Civil Servants (Appointment, Promotion and Transfer) Rules, 1989, and relevant government notifications.
The court also noted that no discrimination had been practiced against the petitioner and that the same criteria were uniformly applied to all candidates.
Declaring that the conditions laid down in the advertisement were lawful and that the petitioner did not meet the required criteria, the court termed the petition as devoid of merit and dismissed the leave to appeal, thereby maintaining the judgment of the Peshawar High Court.