The Lahore High Court (LHC) overturned a notification from the Punjab government that had halted the transfers and postings of government employees across the province since March 1.
Justice Asim Hafeez issued an eight-page verdict, ruling the government’s decision to freeze transfers and postings as unlawful. He noted that the policy unduly elevated the chief minister’s authority, disrupting the necessary balance of administrative checks and balances.
The LHC bench highlighted that executive overreach undermines this balance and pointed out that a misinterpretation of constitutional amendments had cast doubt on the admissibility of the petitions before constitutional benches.
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The court specified that any appointments or transfers made between the issuance of the notification and the court’s decision will remain valid.
On March 1, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif instituted a ban on such administrative changes until further notice. This action was intended to address citizens’ complaints about congestion and safety hazards caused by shopkeepers leaving goods outside their stores, leading to traffic issues and accidents.
In situations where a posting or transfer is necessary due to extreme hardship, compassionate, or administrative reasons, prior approval must be sought from the Chief Minister. This approval process required a summary that included details of the officer’s tenure and the vacancy position.
