GB Engineers Seek Implementation of Court Orders

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan Engineering Association has urged the government to implement court judgments concerning recruitment to vacant Executive Engineer (E&M), BS-18, posts in the Water and Power Department, arguing that a one-time relaxation of departmental recruitment rules was declared illegal by the Chief Court.

In a letter submitted to the Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan, the association called for vacant posts under the 40% direct induction quota to be advertised through the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), in accordance with the applicable recruitment rules and court orders.

The association cited the Chief Court’s consolidated judgment dated June 29, 2021, which declared a summary dated March 6, 2020, seeking a one-time relaxation for promotions, “null and void ab-initio,” holding it illegal and contrary to the rights of the petitioners and the Recruitment Rules, 2019.

The judgment also directed the authorities to keep two vacant Executive Engineer (E&M), BS-18, posts and one Executive Engineer (Civil), BS-18, post vacant until the petitioners’ regularisation cases were finalised. It further directed that the remaining four vacant Executive Engineer (E&M), BS-18, posts be filled through direct induction and sent to the FPSC within a fortnight.

The matter was subsequently taken to the Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan. In its judgment, the court refused leave to appeal against the Chief Court’s decision, maintaining the consolidated judgment with certain modifications.

Importantly, the Supreme Appellate Court clarified that its observations should not be interpreted as legalising the summary seeking one-time promotions for Assistant Executive Engineers through relaxation of existing departmental recruitment rules. The court also directed the relevant authorities to implement the Chief Court’s judgment in its true letter and spirit without disturbing the existing recruitment rules.

According to the association’s letter, the vacant posts have remained unfilled for more than 12 years, while junior officers continue to hold additional charges. The association said the delay was depriving eligible engineers of recruitment opportunities and called for immediate action.

The letter further stated that the case had been referred to the Services, General Administration and Cabinet Department on April 6, 2026, for requisition to the FPSC, but the process remained pending.

The association has asked the Chief Secretary to direct the relevant departments to withdraw what it describes as an unlawful one-time dispensation summary and initiate recruitment through the FPSC in line with the court judgments and applicable rules.