IHC judge recuses himself from case regarding deputationist officers

ISLAMABAD, Oct 09 (APP): The Islamabad High Court (IHC)’s Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir on Friday recused himself from hearing a case challenging the decision to repatriate deputationist section officers to their respective provinces after expressing strong displeasure over alleged attempts by the petitioners to approach him.

The judge directed that the case file be sent to the Chief Justice’s Office for the formation of a new bench.

During the hearing, Advocate Raja Aleem Abbasi appeared on behalf of the petitioners. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir expressed serious reservations, alleging that the petitioners had attempted to influence him through recommendations and phone calls.

“You get recommendations made and have people call me. This is not how things work. It is wrong and inappropriate,” the judge remarked, adding that the petitioners had attempted to approach him through phone calls.

The petitioners’ counsel informed the court that the section officers serving on deputation were originally teachers. He said they had challenged the decision to repatriate them to their respective provinces, as well as the relevant notification, and were seeking regularisation and absorption into the Office Management Group (OMG).

The judge said that, regardless of the merits of the case, attempts to contact him through calls were inappropriate. He subsequently recused himself from the proceedings and sent the file to the Chief Justice’s Office for the constitution of a new bench.

The petitioners include Khalid Mahmood, Muhammad Arif, Dilshad Ahmed, Saeed Chaudhry, Dr Muhammad Ismail and Najeebullah.