The Supreme Court has suspended the Lahore High Court decision regarding 20% job quota for the residents of backward areas provided by the Punjab government, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The case was heard on Thursday by a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan.

Lawyer Mudassar Abbasi argued that the job quota given by the Punjab government did not violate any single constitutional article. He said that the quota was awarded under sections 20, 23 of the Civil Servant Act. Moreover, the job contenders also passed the exams. They were issued appointment letters but they were not allowed to join the service, the lawyer told the court. 

Justice Ahson said that the Supreme Court had already declared that the Punjab government quota for the residents of backward areas was not against the law in two other judgements. 

With this, the judge said that for now the apex court was suspending the Lahore High Court decision against this quota and would hear the case in detail later.

In 2018, the Punjab government awarded job quota to the dwellers of Bhakkar, Multan, Mianwali and other less developed areas of the province. According to this, 20% job quota would be reserved in the provincial departments for the residents of backward areas for four decades. 

The affectees had challenged the Punjab government decision in the LHC which declared the provincial government quota unconstitutional.

Reporter Imanat Gishkori