IHC judge recuses himself from deputation case after alleged calls

Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir on Friday recused himself from hearing a petition challenging the repatriation of section officers appointed on deputation after revealing that the petitioners had allegedly attempted to approach him through telephone calls.

During the hearing, Justice Tahir expressed displeasure over the alleged attempts to influence him, saying that seeking recommendations and arranging calls to a judge was inappropriate.

“You seek recommendations and have people call me. This is not how things work. It is wrong and inappropriate,” the judge remarked.

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Petitioners’ counsel Raja Aleem Khan Abbasi informed the court that the section officers serving on deputation were originally teachers and had challenged the decision directing them to return to their respective provinces.

The counsel said the petitioners had also challenged the relevant notification and sought regularisation of their services and absorption into the Office Management Group (OMG).

Justice Tahir observed that the petitioners’ legal claims could be considered, but stressed that the alleged attempts to contact him were unacceptable.

Subsequently, the judge recused himself from the proceedings and directed that the case file be sent to the IHC chief justice’s office for further proceedings.

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

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