The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday adjourned the hearing till May 7 seeking a reply from the federal government in the “Civil Servants Promotion (BPS-18 to BPS-21) Rules, 2019” case.

The two member bench including IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah and IHC Justice Lubna Saleem while hearing the case directed federal government to answer the questions raised by the court.

IHC CJ Athar Minallah remarked that rules made against the law must be suspended.

The petitioner, Sikandar Hayat Mekan, a former bureaucrat has challenged “Civil Servants Promotion (BPS-18 to BPS-21) Rules, 2019”, in the IHC, recently introduced by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government for the promotions of BS-18 to BS-20 senior bureaucrats.

The petitioner claimed that the new rules are contrary to judgements of superior courts.

It is pertinent to mention that on Dec 3, 2019, the PTI government promulgated promotion rules that allowed 30 discretionary marks to CSB members.

The new rules suggest the CSB members changed earlier practice where the CSB had 15 per cent marks, but 30pc marks are on the discretion of board.

As per the recently notified Rules, an officer despite getting 90pc marks of ACRs and courses could not be promoted without obtaining 70 to 80pc marks from the CSB as new division of marks is ACRs (40 mark), courses (30 marks) and 30 for the CSB.

However, earlier there were 50 marks for Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) and 35 for professional courses.

Separately, textile mills approached the Islamabad High Court on Monday pleased the court to be allowed to pay their electricity bills in installments amid the coronavirus lockdown. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah asked mill owners must first assure that they would not fire the daily wagers working in their mills and submit a guarantee and asked for a list of daily wagers working at the mills.

The case hearing adjourned till April 28.