IHC questions legality of Naya Pakistan Housing Authority staff dismissals, orders restoration of salaries

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday directed officials of the Naya Pakistan Housing Authority (NPHA) to immediately restore the salaries of its dismissed employees, while questioning the legality of their termination orders, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the petition filed by Owais Malik and other affected employees challenging their dismissal. During the hearing, the court also ordered the authority’s policy board to submit its decision regarding the reported dissolution of the institution.

The court expressed concern over whether proper legal procedures had been followed, asking: “If the dismissal of employees was a policy decision, why did the authority’s policy board not take this decision?”

The petitioners’ counsel argued that all employees had been serving the authority for the past five years and were terminated by the acting chairman without being heard or following service rules.

“No policy decision has been taken regarding the dissolution of the institution or the dismissal of employees,” the lawyer maintained.

He further informed the court that the Cabinet Division, in its response, confirmed having no role in the dismissal process. “The Cabinet Division’s reply clearly states that it was not involved in any such decision,” the lawyer said.

The court also questioned the authority’s legal counsel on why the employees’ salaries had been withheld despite no formal dissolution of the organization.

After hearing the arguments, the court adjourned proceedings, directing that relevant documents and the policy board’s decision be submitted before the next hearing.