Petition Challenges Legality of BS-19 Officer’s Posting to BS-20 Post, Citing Violation of Court Rulings and Civil Service Rules
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!KARACHI – May 13, 2025:
The Sindh High Court (SHC) has raised legal concerns over the recent appointment of a BS-19 officer from the Customs Service as Director General (BS-20) of the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA)—the successor of the Department of Plant Protection (DPP).
A constitutional petition (C.P. No. D-1837/2025), filed by a concerned stakeholder, argues that the appointment of Mr. Tahir Abbas, a non-technical officer, is in clear violation of both Section 10 of the Civil Servants Act, 1973 and relevant service rules, including S.R.O. 1332(1)/2021, which lays out strict technical qualifications for the DG position.
The petition also references the April 9, 2024 ruling in Dr. Muhammad Tariq Khan vs. Federation of Pakistan, wherein the SHC held that such senior posts must be filled strictly on merit, seniority, and technical eligibility. Despite this, Mr. Abbas—lacking the mandatory agriculture qualifications and experience—was posted to the DG slot via a government notification dated January 15, 2025.
Taking up the petition, the SHC issued urgent notices to all respondents and scheduled a full hearing on May 16, 2025, to examine the legality of the appointment and its wider implications for the governance of plant protection and food safety.
Legal experts and agri-sector professionals have expressed concern that such appointments weaken Pakistan’s compliance with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and erode the credibility of the DPP as a national phytosanitary authority.
Department of Plant Protection (DPP)
The Department of Plant Protection (DPP) is a department of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research and this department was established in 1977. It offers courses and research methods for the control of major pests. It works under the following pieces of legislation and regulation of the Government of Pakistan: (i) Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (ii) Agricultural Pesticide Rules and (iii) Agricultural Pesticide Ordinance