The True Post (Web News) | By MUHAMMAD AMANULLAH | October 20, 2026
Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court has dismissed an appeal filed by police officer Tanveer Ahmed Tahir against the denial of his promotion to Grade 20, while highlighting the principles laid down by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for civil servants. The court emphasized that government employees must serve the state and the public independently, without being influenced by political parties or politicians.
In a written judgment authored by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, the court referred to Quaid-e-Azam’s historic address to civil officers in Peshawar in April 1948. According to the judgment, Jinnah instructed government officials not to succumb to political pressure or the influence of political personalities and to perform their duties with integrity, impartiality and courage.
Civil Service: The Backbone of the State
The written judgment highlighted Quaid-e-Azam’s principle that governments may change, but the civil service remains the backbone of the state and provides continuity to the administrative system.
The court observed that political interference can contribute to corruption, bribery and nepotism, undermining the performance of public institutions and eroding public confidence in government.
The court dismissed Tanveer Ahmed Tahir’s appeal against the Islamabad High Court’s decision, thereby upholding the decision not to promote him to Grade 20.
How Did the Promotion Dispute Develop?
Tanveer Ahmed Tahir joined the Police Service of Pakistan after passing the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination in 1999. He was promoted to Grade 18 on June 22, 2007, and subsequently to Grade 19 on January 16, 2015.
According to the case details, his promotion remained deferred during 2018 and 2019 following his conviction in a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference.
The Sindh High Court later acquitted him in that reference on November 8, 2019. He was subsequently reinstated in service on January 24, 2020.
In January 2020, the Central Selection Board reconsidered his promotion during its fourth meeting. However, he was not recommended for promotion because another NAB reference against him remained pending. Meanwhile, some of his junior officers were promoted to the next grade during the same year.
Islamabad High Court’s Decision Upheld
Tahir challenged the decision denying him promotion before the Islamabad High Court. A single-member bench dismissed his petition, after which a division bench also rejected his intra-court appeal.
The High Court held that the Central Selection Board had acted under the relevant rules and regulations, including the Civil Servants Promotion Rules, 2019.
Tahir subsequently approached the Federal Constitutional Court, challenging the Islamabad High Court’s February 15, 2022, judgment. The Constitutional Court also dismissed his appeal.
A Reminder of Quaid-e-Azam’s Principles
The court’s reference to Quaid-e-Azam’s principles serves as a reminder that civil servants have a fundamental responsibility to protect the interests of the state and its citizens.
The judgment underscores the importance of impartiality, integrity and professional independence in public service, emphasizing that government officials should perform their duties free from political affiliations, influence or pressure.
