IHC reserves judgment over promotion case in PIMS
By Adnan Raifque

ISLAMABAD—A Division Bench of Islamabad High Court here (IHC) Tuesday reserved judgement on a promotion case of female doctor from BPS-18 to BPS-19 in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). It also directed PIMS authorities to submit details about its rules regarding service and promotions.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Aslam and Justice Syed Qalbe Hassan heard the writ petition filed by Dr Zafar Jamal.
Ibad ur Rehman Lodhi Advocate, appearing as counsel for the petitioner, apprised the Bench that Nighat Bilal, a senior registrar of medicines in Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore was sent to PIMS on deputation in 1992.
During 1994, Personal Secretary to Prime Minister, by exerting his influence issued a notification of her promotion from BPS-18 to BPS-19 and subsequently she was absorbed on permanent basis in PIMS, he added.
He said the petitioner took the matter to Federal Service Tribunal in 1996, which asked Ministry of Health to consider her promotion case and the promoted doctor should be repatriated to Punjab in her previous grade.
Upon such decision, the female medical practitioner took the matter to Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, which directed the concerned ministry to consider the matter.
Lodhi said the Division Bench of the same High Court also retained the earlier decision of the single bench. The case later, he added, was taken to Supreme Court which remanded the case to Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench.
The petitioner had prayed that her promotion was made on political interference which affected promotions of other doctors. Qazi Mohammad Jamil advocate and former Attorney General of Pakistan, defended Dr Nighat Bilal. He contended that her promotion was not based on any violation of rules.
Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Aslam after hearing both sides, reserved judgement and directed PIMS authorities to immediately submit detailed report about its rules and regulations.