The IHC has stopped the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) from making new recruitments until it decides a petition challenging the hiring process. The interim order will remain in effect until the court reaches a final decision in the case.
Justice Muhammad Azam Khan issued the order during proceedings on Friday. The IHC also suspended the implementation of the latest ANF recruitment advertisement. As a result, the recruitment process cannot move forward until further instructions from the court.
Before taking up the main matter, the court disposed of a miscellaneous petition. It removed objections that had earlier been raised by the Registrar’s Office. After clearing those objections, the court fixed the main case for hearing on August 22.
The petition was filed by ANF Constable Muhammad Shafiq Khan. He challenged the department’s decision to advertise new vacancies through direct recruitment. In his petition, he named the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Law, and the ANF Director General as respondents.
According to the petitioner, he has served as an ANF constable for the past 10 years without receiving a promotion. He stated that he is ranked 232nd on the seniority list among 665 constables serving in the force.
The petitioner argued that the department should first conduct a meeting of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC). He said eligible employees should be promoted before new candidates are recruited through direct hiring.
He also requested the court to restore the service structure for civilian employees working in the ANF. In addition, he asked the IHC to declare the recent recruitment advertisement illegal.
The petition further requested the court to direct the department to immediately form a DPC. It also sought instructions to fill vacant positions through departmental promotions instead of fresh recruitment.
During the hearing, the court granted interim relief by staying the recruitment process. This means the ANF cannot proceed with new hiring until the legal challenge is fully decided.
The hearing highlighted concerns about promotions within the department. The petitioner maintained that long-serving employees should be given priority under existing service rules before external recruitment takes place.
The IHC did not decide the merits of the case at this stage. Instead, it issued a temporary order to maintain the current situation until all parties present their arguments.
The next hearing is scheduled for August 22, when the court will examine the legal issues raised in the petition. The decision could determine whether the ANF continues with direct recruitment or is required to complete departmental promotions first.
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For now, the IHC has made it clear that the recruitment process will remain suspended. The final outcome will depend on the court’s ruling after hearing all sides of the case.
