The Islamabad High Court on Thursday restrained the Establishment Division—the federal wing that manages civil-service postings—from issuing notifications to send employees working on deputation back to their parent departments. Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas also directed the federal government to submit a report and para-wise comments within two weeks and told the petitioners to keep working in their current posts.
What the court ordered
In a written order, the court stopped fresh repatriation notifications while the case is heard. Deputation means an official is temporarily posted outside their parent department; repatriation would return them to that original department.
The court issued a notice to the federal government and sought its response within the same two-week window. Further proceedings were adjourned until November 2026.
Who brought the case
The petition was filed by Khalid Mahmood and others. Their counsel—Raja Aleem Khan Abbasi, Zain Shah and Muneeb Tariq—appeared before the court in Islamabad.
According to the petitioners’ lawyers, the employees had served in their respective departments for more than 15 years and had acquired a legal right to regularisation. Counsel also argued that the notification directing their repatriation breached the principles of natural justice, meaning they say they were not treated fairly before the decision was taken.
What happens next
The federal government now has two weeks to place its report and detailed comments on record. Until the court decides otherwise, the petitioners are to remain in the posts they currently hold. The next stage of the case is listed for November 2026.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Islamabad High Court ne Establishment Division ko rok diya hai ke woh deputation par kaam karne wale mulazimein ko parent department wapas na bheje. Case ke petitioners abhi apni maujooda jagahon par kaam karte rahenge. Federal government ko do hafton mein jawab dena hai. Agli samait November 2026 mein hogi.
