MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has upheld the AJK High Court decision to annul the appointments made in the high court during the tenure of former Chief Justice Sadaqat Hussain Raja.
AJK HC Justice Chaudhry Khalid Rasheed suspended the appointment orders and notifications of 43 employees recruited in the IT and clerical sections between 2020 and 2025 in its establishment, declaring them against the rules.
The judge declared that the appointment made by the selection board was not based on merit.
After the court’s interim order, the six petitioners filed a plea in the top court, demanding a stay order on the verdict, which the Supreme Court declined.
Following today’s hearing, in a short order, the Chief Justice SC Raja Saeed Akram directed the respondents to file objections, if any, against the prayed relief.
The court, in its verdict, suspended the appointment orders of 43 employees recruited in the IT and clerical sections of the High Court, declaring them against the rules. The judge declared that the appointment made by the selection board was not based on merit.
The writ petition, moved by six civil society members, alleged that these appointments and promotions made between January 2025 to June 8, 2025, were against merit and High Court procedure.
The petitioners named around 55 people, including senior officials, selection boards, and recent appointees, as respondents. “The appointments to vacant posts, including junior clerks and stenographers, were made without following the proper procedure,” they alleged.
The petition stated that applications were invited through the National Testing Service (NTS) in 2020, but appointments were made through selection committees instead of NTS.
