ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Punjab government to withdraw all shoulder promotions given in the police department and observed that there was no concept of such promotions in the law and police rules. The court said the mechanism was an invention of politicians who used the process for political purposes. The bench of Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed and Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa directed the government to abolish the policy of shoulder promotions and introduce an appropriate mechanism for promotions. The bench was hearing a plea by Punjab police superintendents and other officers against shoulder promotions, which deprived them of their legitimate right of getting promoted.
The court also ordered that officers on special duty (OSD) be appointed on posts that fall vacant after the withdrawal of shoulder promotions and a new seniority list be compiled and the promotions be made in accordance with the new seniority list. “It’s a new Pakistan – now political interference in the working of police should be stopped,” Justice Javed Iqbal observed. Appearing on notice, the Punjab additional inspector general informed the court that all shoulder promotions had been abolished. However, the lawyer for the applicants told the court that there were still 24 police officers – including the son of a noted columnist who had been promoted by overlooking 13 officers – who have been given shoulder promotions.
The court, however, noted that it would not indulge in cases of individuals and would give a principled decision. The court directed the additional inspector general of police not to accept any pressure while withdrawing the shoulder promotions within three days. The proceedings were adjourned until March 11.
End police shoulder-promotions in 3 days: SC
