The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has announced its intention to file a petition seeking an early hearing after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) temporarily halted its recruitment process and issued a stay order on the advertisement for new positions.
In a formal statement, the ANF stated it would present its “factual and legal position” to the court and requested the discontinuation of the stay order to ensure timely completion of the recruitment initiative.
The ANF criticized the petitioner’s arguments as “clearly biased” and noted procedural irregularities in his legal approach, emphasizing that departmental protocols were not followed.
IHC Justice Mohammad Azam Khan issued the interim order on Friday while reviewing a miscellaneous petition filed by Constable Mohammad Shafiq Khan, who challenged the recruitment drive. The advertisement remains suspended until the court’s final ruling on the main petition, scheduled for August 22.
The judge also dismissed objections raised by the Registrar Office and closed the miscellaneous application, clarifying that the interim relief was granted without delving into the substantive merits of the case.
Constable Shafiq, represented by Advocate Mohammad Ali Raza, filed the petition on the grounds that he has served in the same role for over a decade without promotion, despite ranking 232 out of 665 constables in the seniority list. He contends that the new recruitment advertisement was issued without convening the Departmental Promotion Committee, which he argues violates service rules. Additionally, he challenges the abolition of promotion rights for existing staff and the induction of officers on deputation, urging the court to reinstate the prior service structure for civilian personnel.
The Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Law, and Director General (DG) ANF were officially named as respondents in the case.
