PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday ordered the immediate payment of increments to police personnel, whose scales were upgraded, but their increments were not added to their salaries despite promotions to different grades.
While hearing the case, PHC Chief Justice SM Attique Shah remarked that police personnel were sacrificing their lives in the ongoing war against terrorism and questioned why they were being denied their lawful rights despite performing their duties.
Counsels for the petitioners and the additional advocate general appeared before the court.The petitioners’ lawyers pleaded that police personnel across the province, up to Grade-11, had been upgraded to higher scales, but the corresponding increments had not been included in their salaries.
They argued that these personnel were serving on the frontline in the fight against terrorism and were facing attacks daily, yet the government was still denying them their due rights.The petitioners, they contended, approached the court to secure their legitimate entitlements.
At this point, the chief justice observed that police personnel were embracing martyrdom across the province, including in Bannu, while continuing to perform their duties. He said that such officials must be given their rightful benefits and questioned why they should have to approach courts even for legitimate demands. He further remarked that police personnel were risking their lives for the protection of the country and the nation.
The chief justice also remarked that if any official was creating unnecessary delays in the matter, the court should be informed.The court directed the Advocate General’s Office to submit a report regarding the payment of increments to the petitioners.
