Can a grade 9 post convert in grade 16 in writ petition.
Khateeb Grade 9 post convert into Grade 16 |
- Writ petition main molna ne 30 dosre sathio ke sath kpk govt ke khalaf writ file ki.
- Writ maib moqaf akhtiar kia gia ke خطیب ke uhda ko ju ke grade 9 ka hai us ko grade 16 main convert kia jaye.
- petition as deciphered from the record are that the petitionerswere appointed by the Provincial Government against theposts of Pesh-i.Imam in various departments in BPS-5 and 7respectively. They were having the qualifications of Sanadof Shahadat-ul-Almiya (equivalent to degree of M.SIslamiyat/Arabic) from Madrasas registered with Wafaq-ulMadaris/Tanzimatul Wafaq-ul-Madaris. Petitioner No. 1
- Petitioners ne apni taleem batai ju ke MS ke barabar hai.
- Hakoomat ne mamla upgradition committee ke samne rakha
- Petitioners (مولانا) ka moqaf yeh tha ke humari darkhasat ju upgradition committee ne reject kar di hai wo de wo ghalat or molna ke sath discrimination hai.
- Kionke molna ki decree MA ke barabar haike
- High Court ne mamle ko suna or buhat sari judgments ko quote kia or bilakhar writ petition dismiss kar di.
- Yeh ke High Court ne qarar dia ke yeh mamla service tribunal ka hai.
- Jiss ko High court main writ petition under section 199 constitution main challange nahi kia ja sakta.
Judgement of High Court.
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IN THE PESHAWAR HIGH COURT, PESHAWAR
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
Writ Petition No. 1990-P/2013.
Maulana Ihsan-ul-Hadi etc Versus Government of
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through Chief Secretary, Civil
Secretariat, Peshawar.
Date of hearing …….30.10.2014
JUDGMENT
Petitioner(s). By Mr__________________________________________
Respondent (s) By Mr.________________________________________
************
SYED AFSAR SHAH, J.- Through the instant Writ Petition,
under article 199 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of
Pakistan, 1973, Maulana Ihsan-ul-Hadi and thirty others the
petitioners, seek indulgence of this Court for issuance of an
appropriate writ directing the respondents to consider their
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case for upgradation of the post of Pesh-i.Imam/Khatib from
BPS-9 to BPS-16.
2. Facts leading to the filing of the instant
petition as deciphered from the record are that the petitioners
were appointed by the Provincial Government against the
posts of Pesh-i.Imam in various departments in BPS-5 and 7
respectively. They were having the qualifications of Sanad
of Shahadat-ul-Almiya (equivalent to degree of M.S
Islamiyat/Arabic) from Madrasas registered with Wafaq-ulMadaris/Tanzimatul Wafaq-ul-Madaris. Petitioner No. 1
being the president of Association of Pesh-i-Imam moved an
application to the respondent No.1 for upgradation of their
post to BPS-16, whereupon a meeting of all the Departments
were called upon and a decision was taken to the effect that
case of the petitioners for upgradation to BPS-16 be placed
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before the upgradation committee constituted by the
Provincial Government for consideration. In pursuance of
the meeting conducted by the upgradation committee on
14.3.2013, the following decisions were made:-
“ (i) Those incumbents who are in
possession of minimum educational
qualification of Shadat-ul-Alia or equivalent
may be upgraded to BS-12 irrespective of the
length of their service.
(ii) The incumbents who are in possession
of minimum educational qualification of
Shadat-ul-Khasa or equivalent may be
upgraded to BS-10 irrespective of the length
of service.
(iii) The Pesh-e-Imam of those Mosques
where only two or three times (Juma/Zuhr,
Asar and Maghrib) prayers are regularly
performed and who are clothed with
minimum qualification of Shahadat-ul-Alia
or equivalent (Preference for proficiency in
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Qirat & Hifz-i-Quran) may be upgraded to
BS-10.
(iv) On the analogy of the Auqaf &
Religious Affairs Department fresh
appointment as Imam Masjid/Pesh
Imam/Khateeb having a Sanad either in
Dars-e-NIzami or a Sanad of Fazil-i-Arabi
may be made in BPS-12, in all the
Government Masajid, where regular
Eidain/Jumma/Five times prayer are
performed.
However, the Administrative
Departments, where the posts of Pesh-eImam/Imam Masjid/Khateeb exist, are
required to take up the case separately with
the Finance Department for upgradation of
their respective posts alongwith the
following information to the Finance
Department.
(i)
Complete details in respect of these
posts i.e. nomenclature, total sanctioned
strength alongwith BPS and qualification of
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the existing incumbents will be provided by
the Administrative Department.
(ii) A statement showing the details of
those incumbents who are having the above
criteria for BS-10 and BS-12 may also be
attached with the above information.”
Since the above decision aggravated the
grievances of the petitioners, therefore, they filed the instant
petition on the ground that the impugned decision of the
upgradation committee is discriminatory as the petitioners
are in possession of a degree/sanad of Shahadat-ul-Almiya
which is equivalent to M/A Islamiyat/Arabic and the
respondents while granting BPS-12 to the petitioners have
only considered the qualification of Shahadat-ul-Alia which
is equivalent to B.A.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioners
emphasized that the petitioners have been appointed against
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the post of Pesh-i-Imam and since their respective
appointment, they are performing their duties with zeal and
zest but without any proper service structure. He further
argued that the petitioners are serving in dead cadre having
no window of promotion to the higher post/upper scale. He
went on to say that the post of Pesh-i-Imam is also not
transferable to any other post in higher pay scale, therefore
the petitioners lacking chance of elevation to the higher rank.
He maitnained that the senior Arabic teacher/ theology
teacher in Elementary and Secondary Education Department
possessing the same qualification have been placed in BPS-
16. Similarly, the Pesh-i-Imam performing duties in Pakistan
Tele Communication, Limited and WAPDA Department are
getting their perks and privileges in BPS-15 but the
petitioners have been discriminated only for the reason that
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their services are confined to the mosques for two time
prayers, learned counsel for the petitioners further added.
Developing his arguments, learned counsel for the
petitioners urged that the petitioners having equal status to
the above referred employees of PTCL and WAPDA
Departments, therefore, the grade, perks and privileges
allowed to the official of the above said departments should
also be extended to the petitioners in view of the equivalence
of their duties and responsibilities.
4. Conversely, the learned A.A.G vehemently
argued that the upgradation of the post and consequent
increase in the emolument is a question relating to the terms
and conditions of service which is amenable to the
jurisdiction of Service Tribunal, constituted under the
Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan for dealing with
the matters of Civil Service pertaining to the terms and
conditions of employee, therefore, the relief claimed by the
petitioners is not a fit subject for adjudication by the High
Court in exercise of its constitutional jurisdiction, as it is
exclusively barred under Article 212 of the Constitution of
Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973. While buttering his
arguments, the learned A.A.G emphasized that upgradation
committee constituted by the Provincial Government has
properly considered the case of petitioners and has
recommended the upgradation according to their job
description and so far the post of Arabic Teacher and
employee of PTCL and WAPDA are concerned, they are
governed by their own rules and regulations, thus, the case
of petitioners is not analogous in any respect to the referred
case, therefore, does not fall in the ambit of discrimination.
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Lastly he argued that creation and upgradation of the post,
revision of pay scale and such like matters lie purely in
executive domain and the courts of law always refrain itself
to interfere in it.
5. Having heard learned counsel for the parties,
perusal of record would reveal that the petitioners are
working in different departments of Provincial Government
and performing their duties as Pesh-i-Imam/Khatib in
different mosques. Their appointments have been made
under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Appointment Promotion and
Transfer Rules 1989 and undisputedly they are having the
status of Civil Servant, therefore, before adhering to the
merit of the case we would like to attend the objection raised
by learned A.A.G regarding maintainability of the instant
Writ Petition.
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In the given circumstances, it will be more
appropriate to determine as to whether upgradation of a post
or change in the scale of pay would fall under terms and
conditions of service? Admittedly, the petitioners are civil
servants, performing their duties in different cadre and
seeking upgradation of their post to BPS-16. It is undeniable
fact that the change of grade must change the scale of pay of
the petitioners, wherein obviously the element of the
selection would be involved like promotion and order of
competent authority would be required to be passed for
revision of pay and consideration of the comparative
suitability and entitlement of the incumbent. In the lateral
sense the upgradation means “rate higher or raise in value or
esteem or give a promotion to or appointment to a higher
position or an upward slope or grade. Under the service law,
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the expression “Upgradation” has been understood in wider
sense and assign a meaning of elevation and rising to a
higher grade or pay scale. Similarly in ordinary parlance the
term “promotion” is frequently used in cases involving
service law which may be understood to mean “moving
upwards and leaving the original pedestrian”. A person
already holding a position would have promotion if his
position is upgraded to a higher post with higher pay scale.
The difference between promotion and upgradation is that
when incumbent is placed in a higher pay scale with a
change in the designation with an additional qualification
and change in the nomenclature, responsibility and duties
shall be regarded as promotion, but where the post is placed
in higher scale of pay with or without change in designation
without requirement of any new qualification for holding the
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post in the higher grade, not specified in the recruitment
rules for the existing post, and without involving change in
the responsibility and duties may be treated as upgradation.
Needless to mention that in both the cases i.e. promotion and
upgradation, the incumbent must be placed in higher scale of
pay and the element of suitability, eligibility must be
involved. The promotion is always granted to an employee
under the prescribed rules, while upgradation is extended to
ensure that an employee who may not get a chance of
promotion on account of a service in a cadre should at least
be placed in upper grade in his pay with acclivity in grade
while on the other hand to prevent stagnation. The general
purport of this clarification, it appears that when the post is
placed in higher scale of pay with or without change in
designation without requirement of any qualification and
14 13
without involving any change in the responsibility and
duties, even then such placement must be treated as
promotion to higher grade and pay scale because the grant of
upgradation of an employee must enhance his pay and such
category of improvement can only be dealt with under the
head of promotion. It is settled law that whenever there is a
change of grade or post for better, there would be an element
of selection i.e. promotion and it must be through a process
of scrutiny. From the above discussion, it is clear than
crystal that grant of selection grade, upgradation and
promotion to higher pay scale relates to terms and conditions
of service and in view of the explicit bar under article 212 of
the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, the
Service Tribunal possess the exclusive jurisdiction to
determine such question. Any change in the pay scale of the
employee shall bring his case within the ambit of terms and
conditions of service. In this respect, reliance may be placed
on the judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan
rendered in case titled “Government of the Punjab though
Secretary Services, Punjab, Lahore and 14 others Vs
Muhammad Awais Shahid and 4 others” (1991 SCMR-
696) wherein it was ruled that whenever, there is a change of
grade or post for the better, there is element of selection
involved i.e. promotion and it is not automatically. Similar
view was followed by the Lahore High Court in case titled
“Muhammad Saeed Ahmad Vs Secretary to Government
of Punjab Health Department and others” (2013 PLC
(C.S)- 538.
6. In matter of upgradation, numerous cases may
be quoted wherein the aggrieved person (s)/civil servant (s)
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have approached the Service Tribunal for redressal of their
grievances pertaining to upgradation of post. In some of the
cases, the decision of respective Tribunals have been
brought before the August Supreme Court of Pakistan which
has got approbation. In case titled “Sajjad Hussain Kazmi
VS Secretary, Establishment Division, Government of
Pakistan, Islamabad and 2 others” 1998 PLC (C.S) 1463,
the then appellant filed an appeal before the Service Tribunal
on the ground that he had been upgraded from BPS-13 to
BPS-16 by the then Respondent department but later on a
corrigendum was issued whereby the earlier notification of
upgradation was cancelled. His appeal before the Federal
Service Tribunal, Camp Office Lahore was dismissed on
merit, against which leave to appeal was granted by the
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August Supreme Court of Pakistan and was finally decided
on 2nd June 1998 in the following words:
“Keeping in view the stand taken by
the respondents through Mr.Shahid
Saeed , Advocate Supreme Court that
the appellant has not been denied the
status of Class-II Officer, the effect of
Corrigendum, dated 28.3.1991 was
simply to cancel the earlier Gazette
Notification dated 18.3.1990 for the
reason that it did not qualify for being
published in the Official Gazette and
that appellant’s pay, allowances and
pension etc. as also his seniorityposition has not been adversely
affected, we are inclined to dismiss
this appeal with the observation that
the appellant shall continue enjoying
the status of Class-II Officer, as
heretofore. Order accordingly. No
cost.”
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7. In the case of “Mukhtar Ahmad Siddiqui
Vs Secretary to Government of Pakistan, Ministry of
Finance, Islamabad and others” 2001 SCMR 923, the
Civil Servant approached the Federal Service Tribunal for
issuance direction to the Department to upgrade him to the
post of BPS-17 w.e.f March 1972 with all consequential
benefits, however, the Federal Service Tribunal after hearing
the arguments of the parties, dismissed the appeal holding it
as time barred and the petition for leave to appeal against the
judgment of Federal Service Tribunal was dismissed by the
August Supreme Court of Pakistan on merit. Likewise Syed
Nasim-ul-Haq brought an appeal before the Federal Service
Tribunal on the ground that he being a civil servant fulfilled
requisite qualification and conditions for his upgradation to
BPS-17 on specified date, therefore, the department was
18
having no reason for denying him the upgradation and
retrospective effect particularly when other incumbents of
the posts were allowed upgradation from the specified date.
The grievance of the incumbent was redressed and his
appeal was allowed by the Federal Service Tribunal in case
titled “Syed Nasim-ul-Haq Naqvi Vs Secretary Ministry
of Commerce, Islamabad and 4 others” (1992 PLC (C.S)
195. In case titled “Kamal Uddin and 30 others vs
Province of Punjab and others” (1986 PLC (C.S) 807,
issue of upgradation of the Readers and Judgment Writers
of High Court was decided by the Federal Service Tribunal.
8. In the year 1995, the Government of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa was pleased to accord sanction as a special
case to the upgradation of 113 posts of Librarian from BPS-
16 to BPS-17 to the employees whose names were
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mentioned in the notification dated 20.6.1995. The other
employees of the same department equipped with the similar
qualification brought their grievance before the NWFP
Service Tribunal (Now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Service
Tribunal) through Service Appeals which were allowed and
the Provincial Government was directed to upgrade the
appellants to BPS-17. The above judgment was impugned by
the Provincial Government by filing a petition for leave to
appeal which was granted by august Supreme Court of
Pakistan, in case titled “Government of NWFP etc Vs
Muhammad Aslam Khan” C.A No. 172 of 1998 and other
cases on the same subject matter, titled “Government of
NWFP Vs Gul Aslam and others” (C.Ps No. 52 to 58-P of
2003) were heard together. Ultimately all the referred cases
were dismissed and judgment of Service Tribunal was
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maintained. On analogy of the above referred cases, Bibi
Musarrat, Shahid Ali and Nasir Khan filed Service Appeal
No. 1114, 1115 and 1116 of 2006 respectively before the
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Service Tribunal, which were
dismissed, however appeal before the August Supreme Court
of Pakistan, against the judgment of NWFP Service Tribunal
Peshawar were allowed and the benefit of upgradation were
allowed to the employees.
9. From the above quoted judgments of Service
Tribunal as well as of August Supreme Court of Pakistan
one could reach to an irresistible conclusion that the matter
of upgradation of post to higher pay scale falls within the
ambit of terms and condition of service and the Service
Tribunal has the jurisdiction to decide the matter and
jurisdiction of this court is barred under article 212 of the
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Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. By now it is
more than settled that an order, even passed on the basis of
malafide, Coram Non Judice or in violation of any rule, the
same could only be challenged before the Service Tribunal
because in such like matters, article 212 of the Constitution
of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 places complete
embargo on any other court, except the tribunal constituted
for the purpose.
10. Again, this Court while dealing with a similar
controversy in Writ Petition No. 1210-P of 2013 , observed
the following:-
“The issue in hand relates to “up
gradation”, which in essence is
“promotion” to a higher grade. Surely,
the same falls within the “terms and
conditions” of service, which under
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Article-212 of the Constitution, is the
exclusive domain of Service Tribunal.”
11. In view of the constitutional bar, and above all
while deriving wisdom from the precedents cited in the
preceding paras, this court has got no jurisdiction to entertain
the instant petition which is dismissed being not
maintainable.
JUDGE
JUDGE
Announced on
30
th October, 2014
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