Recruitments in Islamabad police "without observing" the minority quota has been challenged in the Islamabad High Court. Asif Mehmood on Friday through Haroon-ur-Rashid Advocate filed a writ petition and cited secretary Establishment Division and inspector general (IG) and AIG of Islamabad Police as respondents.
The petitioner submitted that he is Christian by religion and falls under the category of non-Muslims/minorities as per the Article 260(3)(b) of the Constitution. He is an educated person and he applied for the posts of assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and constable in Islamabad Police.
"Eighteen seats were announced for the post of ASI. The advertisement has given clear note at the top that 'Pakistani nationals candidates (males, females and minorities) can apply for the vacant seats in Islamabad police and CTF on the provisional/regional quotas. Quotas fixed were 10% for female and 5% for minorities," said the petition.
Mahmood added that he qualified the written test and appeared for interview, but has not been issued an appointment letter for the post of ASI whereas the petitioner got appointment letter for the post of constable while he was eligible for both the posts. He maintained on the all 18 seats, Muslim candidates were appointed as ASIs.
He argued that according to Article 36 of the Constitution, the state shall safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of minorities including their due representation in the federal and provincial services.
Therefore, he prayed to the court to direct the respondents to ensure the enforcement of the relevant policy directives and instructions issued by the Establishment Division and the judgments of superior courts regarding reservations of quota for minorities in the federal and provincial services.
He also requested the court that the impugned list of selected candidates for the post of ASI in Islamabad Police may be declared illegal and void ab initio, and an appropriate order may be passed to consider the petitioner for the appointment of ASI according to the given quota.