IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN
(Appellate Jurisdiction)
PRESENT:
MR. JUSTICE IJAZ UL AHSAN
MR. JUSTICE SAYYED MAZAHAR ALI AKBAR NAQVI
Civil Petition No.3988 of 2022 AND
CMA No.676 of 2023
Ghulam Mehmood Dogar
VERSUS
Federation of Pakistan through Secretary Government of Pakistan, Cabinet Division, Islamabad and others
Petitioner(s)
Respondent(s)
For the Petitioner(s) For the Federation
For Punjab Government On Court’s Call
Date of Hearing
: Mr. Abid S. Zuberi, ASC
: Barrister Shehzad Atta Elahi, Attorney General for Pakistan
Ch. Aamir Rehman, Addl.AGP Sajid-ul-Hassan, Section Officer, Establishment Division
: Malik Waseem Mumtaz, Addl.AG, Pb. Mr. Sattar Sahil, AAG, Pb.
: Mr. Sikandar Sutlan Raja,
Chief Election Commissioner
Zafar Iqbal Hussain, Spl. Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan
Ms. Samia Tariq Janjua, Dy. Director (Law), ECP
: 16.02.2023 ORDER
This is an application (CMA No.676 of 2023) under Order XXXIII Rule VI of the Supreme Court Rules, 1980 for placement of additional documents on record. Subject to all just and legal exceptions, the application is allowed.
2. Pursuant to our orders dated 02.12.2022 and 25.01.2023, the learned Attorney General for Pakistan as well

Civil Petition No.3988 of 2022
- 2 -
as an Additional Advocate General, Punjab have appeared. The learned Attorney General for Pakistan has pointed out that a notification had been issued for repatriation of the petitioner (Ghulam Mehmood Dogar) to the Federal Government which had been suspended by a two member Bench of the Federal Service Tribunal at Lahore vide order dated 10.11.2022. However, another two member Bench of the same Tribunal had suspended the said order through a subsequent order dated 24.11.2022 which was challenged before this Court through the instant CPLA. The order dated 24.11.2022 was suspended by this Court vide order dated 02.12.2022. He maintains that the Federal Government has nothing to do with the latest transfer of the petitioner. He points out that the Notification dated 23.01.2023 regarding transfer of the petitioner with a direction to report to the Services & General Administration Department (S&GAD), Government of Punjab, Lahore for further orders has been issued by the Governor of Punjab.
3. We have asked the learned Additional Advocate General, Punjab how such transfer has been ordered considering the fact that in terms of Section 230 of the Election Act, 2017 (“the Act”), there is a specific bar on the caretaker Governments against transfers/postings of public officials unless it is considered expedient and that too after approval of the Election Commission of Pakistan (“ECP”). The learned Additional Advocate General has submitted that the

Civil Petition No.3988 of 2022
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transfer had been undertaken after seeking approval of the ECP.
4. In order to clarify the position of the ECP, we asked the Chief Election Commissioner (“CEC”) to appear before us in the matter. The CEC appeared and stated that the ECP had deliberated upon the issue of transfers and postings and had issued guidelines/policy for transfers/postings to be undertaken by the caretaker Governments such guidelines were sent to the Provincial Governments. He submitted that a request was received from the Government of Punjab for transfer of the petitioner and permission for such transfer was granted by the ECP. He maintained that the ECP is committed to hold free and fair elections in accordance with law and the Constitution and in order to fulfil its mandate to hold free and fair elections where necessary it has permitted transfers/postings in exercise of its powers under Section 230(2)(f) of the Act.
5. He was not in a position to explain to us without availability of the relevant record whether the case of the petitioner was considered by the ECP separately and if a specific order had been passed after considering the question of expediency. He undertakes to file the requisite documents including minutes of the meeting in which this matter and/or the policy/guidelines for transfers/postings by the caretaker Governments were to be permitted. Let copies of the relevant record be placed on the file alongwith its detailed report. We asked the CEC whether he was aware of the fact that the

Civil Petition No.3988 of 2022
- 4 -
matter of transfer of the petitioner was sub judice before this Court and interim orders had been passed. The worthy CEC stated that such fact was not brought to his notice either by the Government of Punjab or by the functionaries of the ECP.
6. During the course of arguments it has been submitted that transfers and postings under the facts and circumstances of this case have a direct reference to the elections which are required to be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab. It was submitted that although transfers/postings were being undertaken, the election date had not been announced which constitutes violation of Article 224(2) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 (“the Constitution”). The worthy CEC submitted that the ECP was committed to fulfil its constitutional obligations however it lacked jurisdiction to announce a date for the elections which, according to him, fell within the domain of the Governors of the respective Provinces in the case of Provincial Assemblies. He maintained that the Governor of Punjab had not announced the date on the ground that since the Assembly had not been dissolved on his order, he had no jurisdiction to give the election date and the ECP was not empowered under the Constitution to announce a date. He also maintained that the ECP has moved an application before the Lahore High Court for clarification of its judgment dated 10.02.2023. The High Court rendered a judgment directing the ECP to immediately announce the date of election of the Punjab

Civil Petition No.3988 of 2022
- 5 -
Provincial Assembly after consultation with the Governor of Punjab, being the constitutional Head of the Province to ensure that the elections are held not later than 90 days as per the mandate of the Constitution.
7. We note that the Provincial Assembly of Punjab stood dissolved on 14.01.2023 pursuant to the Advice of the Chief Minister, Punjab dated 12.01.2023. As such, elections to the Punjab Provincial Assembly are required to be held within 90 days of the said date in terms of Article 224(2) of the Constitution. However, no progress appears to have taken place in this regard and there is a real and eminent danger of violation of a clear and unambiguous constitutional command.
8. In view of the fact that this matter is not before us in the present lis, we are not inclined to pass any order in this regard in view of the principle of law laid down by this Court in its judgment reported as Suo Motu Case No.4 of 2021: In the matter of (PLD 2022 SC 306). We are, however, of the view that the matter brought to our notice during these proceedings raises a serious question of public importance with reference to enforcement of Fundamental Rights conferred by Chapter-1 of Part-II of the Constitution. Considering the fact that unless timely steps are taken to remedy the situation, there is an eminent danger of violation of the Constitution which we are under a constitutional, legal and moral duty to defend. We therefore consider it a fit case to refer to the Hon’ble CJP to invoke the suo motu jurisdiction

Civil Petition No.3988 of 2022
- 6 -
of this Court under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, who may if he considers appropriate after invoking jurisdiction under the said Article constitute a Bench to take up the matter. Let the office place this file before the Hon’ble CJP for appropriate orders.
9. To the extent of Civil Petition No.3988 of 2022 alongwith all miscellaneous applications, the matter shall be taken up tomorrow i.e. 17.02.2023.
Islamabad
16.02.2023
ZR */
Not approved for reporting
Judge
Judge


Explain this case in points

This is a summary of the case mentioned in the text:

1. Civil Petition No. 3988 of 2022 is a legal proceeding in the Supreme Court of Pakistan involving the petitioner Ghulam Mehmood Dogar and the respondents, the Federation of Pakistan and others.

2. The petitioner was notified for repatriation to the Federal Government, which was suspended by a two-member bench of the Federal Service Tribunal. However, another two-member bench of the same tribunal suspended the order, which was challenged before the Supreme Court.

3. The transfer of the petitioner to the Services & General Administration Department (S&GAD), Government of Punjab, Lahore was ordered by the Governor of Punjab after seeking approval from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

4. The CEC appeared in court to clarify the position of the ECP and stated that the ECP had granted permission for the transfer of the petitioner after receiving a request from the Government of Punjab. The CEC also stated that the ECP was not aware that the matter was sub judice before the court.

5. The court noted that the Provincial Assembly of Punjab had been dissolved on January 14, 2023, and elections to the Assembly were required to be held within 90 days of the dissolution. However, no progress had been made in this regard, raising a serious question of public importance with reference to enforcement of Fundamental Rights.

6. The court considered it a fit case to refer to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to invoke the suo motu jurisdiction of the court under Article 184(3) of the Constitution. The office was instructed to place the file before the Hon’ble CJP for appropriate orders.

7. The matter related to Civil Petition No. 3988 of 2022, along with all miscellaneous applications, was scheduled to be taken up the next day (February 17, 2023).

Okay, let me explain it to you in a simpler way.

Imagine you have a toy that you really love and you dont want to give it to someone else. But one day, someone came and took your toy away and said you have to give it to someone else. You didnt like that, so you asked for help from the teacher at school.

The teacher listened to both sides and then decided to ask the principal to help solve the problem. The principal will look at the situation and make a decision that is fair for everyone.

Thats kind of what happened in this case. A man named Ghulam Mehmood Dogar was told he had to work for the government in a different city. He didnt like that, so he asked the Supreme Court of Pakistan for help. The Supreme Court listened to both sides and then asked the Chief Justice of Pakistan to make a decision that is fair for everyone.
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN (Appellate Jurisdiction) PRESENT: MR. JUSTICE IJAZ UL AHSAN MR. JUSTICE SAYYED MAZAHAR ALI AKBAR NAQVI Civil Petition No.3988 of 2022 AND CMA No.676 of 2023 Ghulam Mehmood Dogar VERSUS Federation of Pakistan through Secretary Government of Pakistan, Cabinet Division, Islamabad and others Petitioner(s) Respondent(s) For the Petitioner(s) For the Federation For Punjab Government On Court’s Call Date of Hearing : Mr. Abid S. Zuberi, ASC : Barrister Shehzad Atta Elahi, Attorney General for Pakistan Ch. Aamir Rehman, Addl.AGP Sajid-ul-Hassan, Section Officer, Establishment Division : Malik Waseem Mumtaz, Addl.AG, Pb. Mr. Sattar Sahil, AAG, Pb. : Mr. Sikandar Sutlan Raja, Chief Election Commissioner Zafar Iqbal Hussain, Spl. Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan Ms. Samia Tariq Janjua, Dy. Director (Law), ECP : 16.02.2023 ORDER This is an application (CMA No.676 of 2023) under Order XXXIII Rule VI of the Supreme Court Rules, 1980 for placement of additional documents on record. Subject to all just and legal exceptions, the application is allowed. 2. Pursuant to our orders dated 02.12.2022 and 25.01.2023, the learned Attorney General for Pakistan as well Civil Petition No.3988 of 2022 - 2 - as an Additional Advocate General, Punjab have appeared. The learned Attorney General for Pakistan has pointed out that a notification had been issued for repatriation of the petitioner (Ghulam Mehmood Dogar) to the Federal Government which had been suspended by a two member Bench of the Federal Service Tribunal at Lahore vide order dated 10.11.2022. However, another two member Bench of the same Tribunal had suspended the said order through a subsequent order dated 24.11.2022 which was challenged before this Court through the instant CPLA. The order dated 24.11.2022 was suspended by this Court vide order dated 02.12.2022. He maintains that the Federal Government has nothing to do with the latest transfer of the petitioner. He points out that the Notification dated 23.01.2023 regarding transfer of the petitioner with a direction to report to the Services & General Administration Department (S&GAD), Government of Punjab, Lahore for further orders has been issued by the Governor of Punjab. 3. We have asked the learned Additional Advocate General, Punjab how such transfer has been ordered considering the fact that in terms of Section 230 of the Election Act, 2017 (“the Act”), there is a specific bar on the caretaker Governments against transfers/postings of public officials unless it is considered expedient and that too after approval of the Election Commission of Pakistan (“ECP”). The learned Additional Advocate General has submitted that the Civil Petition No.3988 of 2022 - 3 - transfer had been undertaken after seeking approval of the ECP. 4. In order to clarify the position of the ECP, we asked the Chief Election Commissioner (“CEC”) to appear before us in the matter. The CEC appeared and stated that the ECP had deliberated upon the issue of transfers and postings and had issued guidelines/policy for transfers/postings to be undertaken by the caretaker Governments such guidelines were sent to the Provincial Governments. He submitted that a request was received from the Government of Punjab for transfer of the petitioner and permission for such transfer was granted by the ECP. He maintained that the ECP is committed to hold free and fair elections in accordance with law and the Constitution and in order to fulfil its mandate to hold free and fair elections where necessary it has permitted transfers/postings in exercise of its powers under Section 230(2)(f) of the Act. 5. He was not in a position to explain to us without availability of the relevant record whether the case of the petitioner was considered by the ECP separately and if a specific order had been passed after considering the question of expediency. He undertakes to file the requisite documents including minutes of the meeting in which this matter and/or the policy/guidelines for transfers/postings by the caretaker Governments were to be permitted. Let copies of the relevant record be placed on the file alongwith its detailed report. We asked the CEC whether he was aware of the fact that the Civil Petition No.3988 of 2022 - 4 - matter of transfer of the petitioner was sub judice before this Court and interim orders had been passed. The worthy CEC stated that such fact was not brought to his notice either by the Government of Punjab or by the functionaries of the ECP. 6. During the course of arguments it has been submitted that transfers and postings under the facts and circumstances of this case have a direct reference to the elections which are required to be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab. It was submitted that although transfers/postings were being undertaken, the election date had not been announced which constitutes violation of Article 224(2) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 (“the Constitution”). The worthy CEC submitted that the ECP was committed to fulfil its constitutional obligations however it lacked jurisdiction to announce a date for the elections which, according to him, fell within the domain of the Governors of the respective Provinces in the case of Provincial Assemblies. He maintained that the Governor of Punjab had not announced the date on the ground that since the Assembly had not been dissolved on his order, he had no jurisdiction to give the election date and the ECP was not empowered under the Constitution to announce a date. He also maintained that the ECP has moved an application before the Lahore High Court for clarification of its judgment dated 10.02.2023. The High Court rendered a judgment directing the ECP to immediately announce the date of election of the Punjab Civil Petition No.3988 of 2022 - 5 - Provincial Assembly after consultation with the Governor of Punjab, being the constitutional Head of the Province to ensure that the elections are held not later than 90 days as per the mandate of the Constitution. 7. We note that the Provincial Assembly of Punjab stood dissolved on 14.01.2023 pursuant to the Advice of the Chief Minister, Punjab dated 12.01.2023. As such, elections to the Punjab Provincial Assembly are required to be held within 90 days of the said date in terms of Article 224(2) of the Constitution. However, no progress appears to have taken place in this regard and there is a real and eminent danger of violation of a clear and unambiguous constitutional command. 8. In view of the fact that this matter is not before us in the present lis, we are not inclined to pass any order in this regard in view of the principle of law laid down by this Court in its judgment reported as Suo Motu Case No.4 of 2021: In the matter of (PLD 2022 SC 306). We are, however, of the view that the matter brought to our notice during these proceedings raises a serious question of public importance with reference to enforcement of Fundamental Rights conferred by Chapter-1 of Part-II of the Constitution. Considering the fact that unless timely steps are taken to remedy the situation, there is an eminent danger of violation of the Constitution which we are under a constitutional, legal and moral duty to defend. We therefore consider it a fit case to refer to the Hon’ble CJP to invoke the suo motu jurisdiction Civil Petition No.3988 of 2022 - 6 - of this Court under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, who may if he considers appropriate after invoking jurisdiction under the said Article constitute a Bench to take up the matter. Let the office place this file before the Hon’ble CJP for appropriate orders. 9. To the extent of Civil Petition No.3988 of 2022 alongwith all miscellaneous applications, the matter shall be taken up tomorrow i.e. 17.02.2023. Islamabad 16.02.2023 ZR */ Not approved for reporting Judge Judge Explain this case in points This is a summary of the case mentioned in the text: 1. Civil Petition No. 3988 of 2022 is a legal proceeding in the Supreme Court of Pakistan involving the petitioner Ghulam Mehmood Dogar and the respondents, the Federation of Pakistan and others. 2. The petitioner was notified for repatriation to the Federal Government, which was suspended by a two-member bench of the Federal Service Tribunal. However, another two-member bench of the same tribunal suspended the order, which was challenged before the Supreme Court. 3. The transfer of the petitioner to the Services & General Administration Department (S&GAD), Government of Punjab, Lahore was ordered by the Governor of Punjab after seeking approval from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). 4. The CEC appeared in court to clarify the position of the ECP and stated that the ECP had granted permission for the transfer of the petitioner after receiving a request from the Government of Punjab. The CEC also stated that the ECP was not aware that the matter was sub judice before the court. 5. The court noted that the Provincial Assembly of Punjab had been dissolved on January 14, 2023, and elections to the Assembly were required to be held within 90 days of the dissolution. However, no progress had been made in this regard, raising a serious question of public importance with reference to enforcement of Fundamental Rights. 6. The court considered it a fit case to refer to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to invoke the suo motu jurisdiction of the court under Article 184(3) of the Constitution. The office was instructed to place the file before the Hon’ble CJP for appropriate orders. 7. The matter related to Civil Petition No. 3988 of 2022, along with all miscellaneous applications, was scheduled to be taken up the next day (February 17, 2023). Okay, let me explain it to you in a simpler way. Imagine you have a toy that you really love and you don't want to give it to someone else. But one day, someone came and took your toy away and said you have to give it to someone else. You didn't like that, so you asked for help from the teacher at school. The teacher listened to both sides and then decided to ask the principal to help solve the problem. The principal will look at the situation and make a decision that is fair for everyone. That's kind of what happened in this case. A man named Ghulam Mehmood Dogar was told he had to work for the government in a different city. He didn't like that, so he asked the Supreme Court of Pakistan for help. The Supreme Court listened to both sides and then asked the Chief Justice of Pakistan to make a decision that is fair for everyone.
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