Inquiries, penalties, promotion and pension
Departmental inquiries and show-cause notices, dismissals and major penalties, promotion, seniority and transfer disputes, and pension claims for civil servants before the Punjab and Federal Service Tribunals and the Lahore High Court.
Overview
A government servant facing an inquiry has more rights than the department usually admits: a proper charge sheet, a chance to answer it, an inquiry officer who follows the rules, and a penalty that fits the finding. Fortis Legal Partners represents provincial and federal civil servants, teachers, police officers and employees of statutory bodies at every stage of that process, and in the appeals that follow.
We handle replies to show-cause notices, representation in inquiries under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act, departmental appeals, and service appeals before the Punjab Service Tribunal and the Federal Service Tribunal. Promotion, seniority, transfer, regularisation of contract employees and pension and gratuity claims are argued before the Tribunals and, where the Tribunals lack jurisdiction, before the Lahore High Court.
A reply that answers each allegation with documents, within the time allowed, and records every procedural lapse.
Representation before the inquiry officer, cross-examination of departmental witnesses and a written defence.
An appeal or review to the competent authority is usually a precondition to the Tribunal; we file it on time and on the right grounds.
A service appeal within thirty days of the departmental decision, with a request for interim relief where the penalty is being enforced.
Governing law: Punjab Service Tribunals Act, 1974 and Service Tribunals Act, 1973
Departmental appeals and service appeals on dismissal, removal, compulsory retirement, promotion, seniority, transfer and pension for civil servants of the province and the federation.
Governing law: Article 199 of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973
Constitutional (writ) petitions under Article 199, civil and criminal appeals and revisions, bail before the High Court, and references from tax and customs tribunals. Both founding partners have been Advocates of the High Court since 2023.
Governing law: Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 and Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment Rules
Inquiries by the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment, FIRs under the Prevention of Corruption Act, bail and trials before the Special Judge Anti-Corruption, and the departmental proceedings that usually run alongside.
Usually not. Under Article 212 of the Constitution, matters relating to the terms and conditions of service of civil servants go to the Service Tribunal after a departmental appeal. The High Court steps in where the Tribunal has no jurisdiction, for example for some contract employees or where an order is wholly without lawful authority.
Ask this on WhatsAppThirty days from the decision on your departmental appeal, or from the expiry of the period within which the department should have decided it. Missing this limit is the commonest reason service appeals fail.
Ask this on WhatsAppPension is a right, not a bounty, and it can only be withheld or reduced under the specific pension rules after a finding of grave misconduct. Provisional pension is generally payable while proceedings are pending.
Ask this on WhatsAppMatters in this area often touch these as well.
Nothing on this page is legal advice and no representation is made as to the outcome of any matter.
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