PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday dismissed a writ petition challenging the appointment and promotion of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly secretary, declaring the entire process lawful and in accordance with rules.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Farah Jamshed heard the petition filed by Advocate Ali Azeem, who had argued that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Secretary Waqar Shah’s appointment, upgradation, and promotions were made in violation of relevant laws and involved misuse of authority. The petitioner requested the court to declare the appointment and subsequent promotions void.
The court issued a 22-page judgment authored by Justice Farah Jamshed, rejecting the petition.
The court ruled that all stages of Shah’s appointment and promotions were carried out in line with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and fell within the jurisdiction of the competent authority. It further observed that the petitioner failed to substantiate any of the allegations leveled against Shah.
According to the judgment, no evidence of irregularity, illegality, or mala fide intent was found in the process. The court noted that the objections raised in the petition, including claims of misuse of authority and illegal appointment, lacked any solid legal or documentary basis.
The bench emphasized that mere allegations were insufficient to invalidate an appointment.
The court also observed that the petition appeared to stem from personal grievances rather than public interest, noting that the petitioner had previously filed multiple cases against Shah and had also approached authorities against the assembly administration in similar matters.
Declaring the petition to be without merit and not maintainable, the court dismissed it and upheld Shah’s appointment, including his promotions to Grade 20 and subsequently Grade 21.
