IHC judge recuses from deputationists’ repatriation case after attempts to approach him

Add ARY News on GoogleFollow on Google DiscoverIslamabad high court building/IHC websiteAAResizeISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir on Friday recused himself from hearing a case challenging the repatriation of section officers appointed on deputation after revealing that the petitioners had attempted to approach him through telephone calls.

During the hearing, Justice Tahir expressed strong displeasure over the alleged attempts, telling the petitioners that seeking favours and arranging calls to influence him was inappropriate.

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

The petitioners’ counsel, Raja Aleem Khan Abbasi, told 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 lawyer said the petitioners had also challenged the relevant notification and were seeking regularisation of their services and absorption into the Office Management Group (OMG).

Responding to the counsel’s submissions, Justice Tahir said that although the petitioners’ legal claims could be considered, the alleged attempts to contact him were inappropriate.

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The judge subsequently recused himself from the case and directed that the file be sent to the office of the IHC chief justice for further proceedings.

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

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