ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Wednesday restored the status of successful candidates of the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), ARY News reported.
The FCC approved all the petitions filed by the candidates regarding their reinstatement, while categorically rejecting the stance of the PPSC in the paper leak case.
A division bench of the FCC, comprising Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Justice Ameen-ud-Din Khan and Justice Ali Baqar Najfi, heard the petition.
The candidates’ counsel argued that their clients had been performing their official duties in various departments after clearing the examinations, adding that the petitioners had already received four months’ salaries.
The counsel informed the court that the PPSC had withdrawn its recommendation for the appointment of the candidates based on a source report. Furthermore, the recommendations of the commission and the paper leak came to light after the candidates had already cleared the examinations, the counsel argued.
The court questioned how many PPSC officers had faced action over the paper leak. In response, the PPSC lawyer stated that four officers of the commission had been dismissed over the issue.
The candidates’ counsel further argued that no show-cause notice was served to the candidates before removing them from their jobs, nor were they given a right of audience (heard).
Ultimately, the FCC reinstated 123 candidates to their positions, which had been awarded to them after they passed the PPSC examinations.