VIRES OF SECTION 2-A, SERVICE TRIBUNALS
ACT, 1973

CASE AND COMMENTS

Case: Muhammad Mubeen-us Salam and others V Federation
of Pakistan, PLJ 2006 SC 1296.

By:
MAZHAR ILYAS NAGI
Advocate
LL.B.
Visiting Lecturer (Administrative Law),
University Law College,
Quetta.

Judicial review is the power exerted by the courts of a country to examine the actions of the legislative, executive, and administrative arms of the government and to ensure that such actions conform to the provisions of the constitution. The institution of judicial review is predicted upon the existence of a written constitution that is changeable only by some process of legislation. Hallmark of doctrine of Judicial Review is to keep the legislature as well as functionaries of the State within ambit of their authority specified by the Constitution. There is no cavil with the proposition that legislative power to make laws is confined within the limits prescribed by the Constitution. Any transgression beyond the limits prescribed by the Constitution, being ultra vires of the Constitution, can be struck down by superior courts and declared as unconstitutional exercise of legislative powers. Judicial Review is a constitutional practice rightly began from the assertion by John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States in Murbury V. Madison (February 24, 1803), a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision which was the first instance where an act of Congress was declared unconstitutional, thus establishing the doctrine of Judicial Review.

In a recent case titled Muhammad Mubeen-us Salam and others Vs. Federation of Pakistan reported in PLJ 2006 SC 1296, a larger Bench of honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan comprising 9 judges has, no doubt, played a pivotal role by demonstrating the powers of judicial review that is a basic and essential feature of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan (1973) (hereinafter referred to as the Constitution). Supreme Court clubbed all pending petitions and appeals filed against the judgments of the Federal Service Tribunal passed on appeals under S. 4 read with S.2-A of Service Tribunals Act, 1973. Vires of S.2-A was tested on the touchstone of the Constitution and the same was authoritatively declared as partially ultra vires of the Constitution. As a consequence of said judgment thousands of appeals, pending before the Tribunal and Supreme Court, stood abated. It has been left open for the litigant parties to avail remedy available to them prior to 10-06-1997 the date on which S.2-A was inserted in the Service Tribunals Act, 1973. Supreme Court has passed an exhaustive judgment running into more than 100 pages. Each and every principle laid down by the Court deserves proper appreciation to discover the intention of the Court and ratio decidendi of the judgment. The judgment has in fact opened a debate with regard to remedy available to employees in general and officers in particular who are in the service of statutory bodies, corporations etc. With due respect I have opened such debate and expect from the members of the Bar to add their views on this important issue of public importance.

History of S.2-A, Service Tribunals Act, 1973:

Article 212 of the Constitution enables the appropriate Legislature to provide by Act for the establishment of one or more Administrative Courts or Tribunals to exercise exclusive jurisdiction in respect of matters relating to the terms and conditions of persons who are or have been in the service of Pakistan, including disciplinary matters. Parliament enacted Service Tribunals Act, 1973 for establishment of Service Tribunals to exercise exclusive jurisdiction in this respect. The object of establishment of the Tribunals was to provide a special forum to civil servants for redressal of their grievances.

Originally civil servants as defined in section 2(b) of the Civil Servants (Act LXXI of 1973) could invoke the jurisdiction of Service Tribunal by filing appeals. Amongst the pre-requisites of locus standi to file appeal before the Service Tribunal inter alia was that the person invoking the jurisdiction of the Tribunal must fall within the definition of civil servant. Officers/ employees in the service of statutory bodies, authorities, corporations or organizations managed, controlled or run by the Federal Government, being not civil servants, could not avail the remedy before the Tribunal. Such employees could be divided into two categories namely:

(1) The employees in the service of such bodies, corporations etc. where terms and conditions of their service were governed by statutory rules; and

(2) The employees belonging to such bodies, corporation etc. where no statutory rules were framed to regulate the matters relating to terms and conditions of their service or powers to frame rules/ regulations/ byelaws were not delegated by the Legislature.

Employees, other than the persons covered by the definition of worker or workman, belonging to the first category used to invoke the Constitutional jurisdiction of the High Court under Article 199 of the Constitution. Violation of any of the terms and conditions of their service, determined by statutory rules, could be equated with violation of a provision of law warranting pressing into service the Constitutional jurisdiction of High Court. The second category of employees could further be divided into officers class/ supervisory staff and the employees covered by the definition of “worker” or “workman” as provided in the Industrial Relations Ordinance, 1969, replaced by Industrial Relations Ordinance, 2002, and Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968. The employees covered by the definition of “worker” or “workman” used to approach the Labour Court by filing grievance petition for redressal of their grievances. Workers or workmen of first category of employees could invoke the jurisdiction of Labour Courts for the enforcement of statutory rules under which terms and conditions of their service were governed while in the case of second category, workers and workmen were protected by the Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968. Where terms and  conditions of service of officers/ supervisory staff were not governed by statutory rules, they had no remedy other than suit for damages in case their services were dismissed by the employer. Relationship of these officers/ supervisory staff with the employer was always considered as that of master and servant.

Keeping in view the lack of remedy or multiplicity of fora for the persons in the service of such statutory bodies, corporations etc., it was decided to place all such employees/ persons on the same footing by providing them a remedy of filing appeal before the Federal Service Tribunal for rectification of the wrongs and redressal of grievances arising out of violation of the terms and conditions of their service. For achieving the desired objectives, the Legislature on 10-06-1997 inserted section 2-A in the Service Tribunals Act, 1973 by promulgating the Service Tribunals (Amendment) Act (XVII of 1997) which read as under:

“Service under any authority, corporation, body or organisation established by or under a Federal Law or which is owned or controlled by the Federal Government or in which the Federal Government has a controlling share or interest is hereby declared to be service of Pakistan and every person holding a post under such authority, corporation, body or organisation shall be deemed to be a Civil servant for the purpose of this Act.”

Section 2-A, inserted in the Service Tribunals Act, 1973, by its own force, created a class of Government servants by fiction, for the only purpose of allowing them to avail remedy of appeal before the Service Tribunal. Perusal of above section 2-A transpires that firstly service under such bodies, corporations etc. was declared to be service of Pakistan and secondly every person holding a post under such bodies, corporation etc. was deemed to be civil servant for a limited purpose of invoking the jurisdiction of Service Tribunal.

Thus employees of such bodies, corporations etc. after incorporation of section 2-A in the Service Tribunals Act, 1973 could no longer invoke the Constitutional jurisdiction of the High Court under Article 199 of the Constitution, Civil Courts as well as of the Labour Courts. After insertion of S.2-A all cases pending before all other courts stood abated in view of Article 212 (2) of the Constitution which provides that after establishment of the Tribunal no other Court shall grant an injunction, make any order or entertain any proceedings in respect of any matter to which the jurisdiction of such Administrative Court or Tribunal extends. Insertion of S.2-A opened the doors of Service Tribunal to ‘every person’ in the service of such statutory bodies, corporations etc. irrespective of their status. While interpreting the words ‘every person’ used by the Legislature in S.2-A, superior Courts/ Service Tribunal held that all officers, supervisory staff, workman, temporary or permanent employees, contract-employees, ad hoc employees, probationers etc. were entitled to invoke the jurisdiction of Federal Service Tribunal by way of appeal.

Rationale behind S.2-A, Service Tribunals Act, 1973 and its scope:

Intention of the Legislature appeared to be to provide a forum to the employees of Corporations etc. against arbitrary removal, discharge from service or other final orders that may be passed by such Corporation etc. adversely affecting the terms and conditions of their service.[1] Main object of the declaration made under S.2-A of the Act was to provide a remedy of appeal to the employees of the Banks and others to safeguard their interests against the orders/ actions taken by their Employer Corporations/ Private Companies regarding action taken beyond the Rules/ Regulations/ Statutes.[2]

Ratio decidendi of the Judgment (PLJ 2006 SC 1296):

108. The threadbare discussion on the subject persuades us to hold:--

(1)   Section 2-A of the STA, 1973 is, partially, ultra vires of Articles 240 and 260 of the Constitution, to the extent of the category of employees, whose terms and conditions of service have not been determined by the Federal Legislature and by a deeming clause they cannot be treated civil servants as defined under section 2(1)(b) of the CSA, 1973 and they are not engaged in the affairs of the Federation.

(2)   Section 2-A of the STA, 1973 cannot be enforced in the absence of amendment in the definition of the civil servant under section 2(1)(b) of the CSA, 1973.

(3)   The cases of employees under section 2-A, STA, 1973, who do not fall within the definition of civil servant have no remedy before the Service Tribunal, functioning under Article 212 of the Constitution and they would be free to avail appropriate remedy.

109. Now the question is as to what would be the effect of this judgment on the cases pending before this Court and Federal Service Tribunal. in this behalf it may be noted that following the rule of past and closed transaction, laid down in the case of Mehram Ali v. Federation of Pakistan (PLD 1998 SC 1445), it is directed as follows:---

(a)   The cases which have been decided finally by this Court in exercise of jurisdiction under Article 212(3) of the Constitution shall not be opened and if any Review Petition, Misc. Application or Contempt Application, filed against the judgment is pending, it shall be heard independently and shall not be affected by the ratio of this judgment.

(b) The proceedings instituted by an employer or by an employer, pending before this Court, against the judgment of the Service Tribunal, not covered by category (a) before this Court or the Service Tribunal shall stand abated, leaving the parties to avail remedy prevailing prior to promulgation of section 2-A of the STA, 1973.

(c)   The cases or proceedings which are not protected of covered by this judgment shall be deemed to have abated and the aggrieved person may approach the competent forums for redressal of their grievances within a period of 90 days and the bar of limitation provided by the respective laws, shall not operate against them till the expiry of stipulated period.

(d)   The cases in which the order of Service Tribunal has been implemented shall remain intact for a period of 90 days or till the filing of appropriate proceedings, whichever is earlier.

(e)   The Service Tribunal shall decide pending cases under section 2-A of the STA, 1973 in view of the above observations. However, if any of the cases is covered by clause ‘c’ (ibid), a period of 90 days shall be allowed to aggrieved party to approach the competent forum for the redressal of its grievance.

Logical analysis of the findings of Supreme Court:

It is abundantly clear from the above conclusion that:--

(1)   Section 2-A inserted in the STA, 1973 was couched in such a language that it could clearly be divided into two parts namely (1) Service under any authority, corporation, body or organisation established by or under a Federal Law or which is owned or controlled by the Federal Government or in which the Federal Government has a controlling share or interest was declared to be service of Pakistan and (2) every person holding a post under such authority, corporation, body or organisation was deemed to be a Civil servant for the purpose of Service Tribunals Act.

(2)   S.2-A has neither been declared ultra vires in toto nor the same has been struck off from the statute book. Rather it has been declared partially ultra vires of Articles 240 and 260 of the Constitution. The emphasis of the Supreme Court is on the defect in legislation that persons in the service of such statutory bodies, corporations etc. could not be deemed to be civil servant in the absence of any corresponding amendment in the definition of ‘civil servant’ incorporated in Civil Servants Act, 1973. It can also safely be assumed that the other part of the S.2-A, STA, 1973 i.e. ‘declaration of such employees in the service of Pakistan’ has been found intra vires of the Constitution subject to fulfilment of certain conditions.

(3)   Article 212 (1) (a) provides for establishment of Tribunal to exercise exclusive jurisdiction in respect of matters relating to the terms and conditions of persons [3][who are or have been] in the service of Pakistan, including disciplinary matters. (emphasis supplied by me).

(4)   Under above clauses (c) and (e) of paragraph 109 of the judgment, Service Tribunal was under obligation to decide pending cases filed under section 2-A of the STA, 1973 in view of the above observations of the Supreme Court instead of holding all cases as abated by an omnibus office Notice without hearing the litigant parties.

Interpretation of the judgment by the Federal Service Tribunal:

Tribunal’s Notice regarding the abatement of pending cases has given rise to questions of serious consideration i.e. whether the Service Tribunal has rightly non-suited all the litigant parties by an omnibus office Notice issued to parties without hearing them; whether the judgment of Supreme Court, as a whole, has been read, appreciated and given effect to and whether none of the cases filed under S.2-A was protected or covered by the judgment of Supreme Court? Such questions could only be determined if the parties would have been afforded with an opportunity of arguments with regard to maintainability of their appeals. If the judgment of Supreme Court is read as a whole, following additional points of vital significance may be noted:--

(1)  In paragraph 68 of the judgment, Supreme Court has laid down two basic propositions to ascertain as to whether a person is in the service of Pakistan; namely (a) A declaration must exist that he shall be deemed to be in service of Pakistan; and (b) Such person must hold a post or office in connection with the affairs of the Federation or of a Province and includes in All Pakistan Service.

(2)   Again in paragraph 74, of the judgment it has been held “It is equally important to observe that under Article 260 of the Constitution, a person can be declared to be in service of Pakistan if his duties have a nexus with the affairs of the Federation, meaning thereby that a person who is playing an active role in the performance of sovereign functions of the State and exercises public powers can legitimately claim to be in the service of Pakistan. ………..”

(3)   In paragraph 82, it has again been held “the services of a person holding a post in connection with affairs of the Federation can be declared to be service of Pakistan.”

(4)   In paragraph 85, it has also been held “………. Thus only those persons who are covered within the definition of ‘service of Pakistan’ in terms of Article 212(1)(a) of the Constitution, can invoke the jurisdiction of the Tribunal………” (emphasis supplied by me).

(5)   In paragraph 86, it has been held “………………..… ……………….. Thus, the conclusion would be that only those persons, who are in the service of Pakistan, as discussed herein above, and if their terms and conditions are governed either by a statute or statutory rules, in terms of Article 240 of the Constitution, can seek remedy before the Service Tribunals. It can be, therefore, said in other words that as the persons, who are in service of Pakistan but whose terms and conditions are not governed by a statute or statutory rules, cannot invoke the jurisdiction of the Federal Service Tribunal.” (emphasis supplied by me).

(6)   It has further been held in paragraph 89, “…………………… In order to make out a case for the purpose of hearing before a Service Tribunal, a person falling within the scope of Section 2-A of the STA, 1973, is required to hold a post, otherwise, in absence of such mandatory condition, he would not be deemed to be in service of Pakistan. Therefore the Service Tribunal would have no jurisdiction to grant him relief.”

In view of the above observations of Supreme Court, the Service Tribunal was obliged to ascertain as to whether duties of any appellant before it had any nexus with the affairs of the Federation or in other words he was holding a post in connection with the affairs of the Federation or his terms and conditions of service were governed by statutory rules, and if so, his appeal was maintainable or not? Mr. Raja Muhammad Akram, learned ASC had also rightly argued before the Supreme Court that “S.2-A of the STA, 1973 is intra vires of the Constitution so far it deals with the persons, whose terms and conditions have been laid down by statutory provisions and is ultra vires in respect of persons who do not enjoy such status.” Mr. Raja Muhammad Bashir, learned ASC also argued that “Section 2-A of the STA, 1973 can be saved by interpreting it in the manner that so far it deals with the persons whose services are regulated by the statutory provisions, they can be deemed to be civil servants, therefore, to their extent it is valid law. Whereas in respect of others, whose terms and conditions of service are not governed by a statutory provision, it is contrary to the Constitution and deserves to be struck down partially.”

With due regard it is submitted that view formed by the Tribunal fell short of being convincing and I am unable to subscribe to the same that all appeals pending before it were en-bloc liable to abatement. I am fortified in my view by the factual position that there are numerous statutory bodies, corporations etc. which have framed their own statutory rules. Employees of such bodies, corporations should have been distinguished from those whose terms and conditions of service are not protected by statutory rules. Mr. Iftikhar Gillani, learned Sr. ASC also contended before the Supreme Court that “As per the will of the Legislature, the employees of a Corporation have been declared to be holders of post in the service of Pakistan, therefore, whether it is right or wrong decision of the Legislature, the same has to be respected and it cannot be struck down for reasons of jurisdiction, impropriety or expediency.” To establish such plea that all cases pending before the Tribunal were not liable to abatement, an illustration may be quoted in the following manner:-

Any person in the service of State Bank of Pakistan invokes the jurisdiction of Federal Service Tribunal for enforcement of his terms and conditions of service. During the pendency of his appeal before Service Tribunal, his appeal is held abated by operation of Supreme Court’s judgment in the presence of following hard facts:-

(1)   State Bank of Pakistan, a body corporate, was established under State Bank of Pakistan Act, 1956 (XXXIII of 1956), hereinafter referred to as the Act of 1956. The Bank has been entrusted with numerous functions in connection with the affairs of the Federation as well as the Provinces as enumerated in Chapter IV of the Act of 1956.

(2)   As provided in S. 26 (1) of the Act of 1956, there are two main departments of the Bank namely Issue Department and Banking Department. The appellant before Service Tribunal was appointed and posted in the aforementioned Issue Department of the Bank. Functions assigned to appellant and other officers of the said Issue Department of the Bank inter alia were:-

       (a)   acceptance of moneys for account of the Federal Government and Provincial Governments and making payments up to the amount standing to the credit of their accounts respectively …….. etc. as provided in S. 21 of the Act of 1956;

       (b)   issue of Bank Notes under S. 26 (1) of the Act of 1956;

       (c)   reissue of Bank Notes under S. 28 of the Act of 1956;

       (d)   supply of different forms of currency by issue of rupee coin on demand in exchange for Bank Notes; Bank Notes on demand in exchange for coin which is legal tender and supply of Bank Notes of one denomination in exchange of Bank Notes of other denomination under S. 33 of the Act of 1956;

       (e)   exchange of torn or mutilated notes with good notes in accordance with the Notes Refund Regulations;

       (f)    maintenance and management of Cash Reserves of Scheduled Banks under S. 36 of the Act of 1956; and

       (g)   issue, supply, sale and purchase of prize bonds and other National Savings Instruments introduced under Public Debt Act, 1944 (XVIII of 1944). 

(3)   The Legislature, under S.54 (2) (j) of the of the Act of 1956, delegated powers to the Central Board of the Bank to make regulations consistent with the Act to provide for the recruitment of officers and servants of the Bank including the terms and conditions of their service, constitution of superannuation, beneficial and other funds, with or without bank’s contribution, for the officers and servants of the Bank; their welfare; providing amenities, medical facilities, grant of loans and advances, their betterment and uplift.

(4)   Terms and conditions of service of employees/ officers of the Bank are inter alia governed by the State Bank of Pakistan Staff Regulations, 1999, State Bank of Pakistan (Officers and Executives) General Provident Fund Regulations, 1985 and State Bank of Pakistan Officers (Pension-cum-Gratuity) Regulations, 1980 made by the Central Board of the Bank in exercise of aforementioned powers conferred on it under section 54 (2) (j) of the Act of 1956. Safeguards provided in the Provident Funds Act, 1925 (XIX of 1925) have also been made applicable to the matters relating to Provident Fund of the employees/ officers of the Bank under sub-section (2) of section (8) read with entry No. 8 of the Schedule appended with the said Act of 1925. Under Regulation 37 (PART-IV) of the State Bank of Pakistan Staff Regulations, 1999, the existing rules, regulations, orders and instructions etc., are also applicable, until varied or changed by the authority empowered to do so. To deal with the matters relating “Efficiency & Discipline”, a detailed procedure has been laid down in the Booklet of Instructions made applicable under above Regulations 37 (PART-IV) of the Regulations. By the force of said saving/ adopting clause i.e. Regulation 37, Booklet of Instructions is also to be read as part and parcel of the Regulations.

In view of above it was required to be determined by the Service Tribunal before non-suiting the appellant in the service of State Bank whether he qualified the conditions laid down in the Supreme Court’s judgment and could legitimately invoke the jurisdiction of Service Tribunal for the reasons:--

(a)   A declaration in the form of that part of S. 2-A of Service Tribunals Act, 1973, whereby service under statutory bodies, corporations etc. were declared to be service of Pakistan, is intact and has not been declared ultra vires of the Constitution.

(b)   Such person holds a post or office in connection with the affairs of the Federation or of a Province and his duties have a nexus with the affairs of the Federation, meaning thereby that he is playing an active role in the performance of sovereign functions of the State and exercises public powers.

(c)   His terms and conditions of service are governed by the statutory Regulations made in exercise of statutory powers contained in State Bank of Pakistan Act, 1956. Matters relating to Provident Fund has directly been dealt with by the Federal Legislature by promulgation of the Provident Funds Act, 1925 (XIX of 1925).

Provisions of law identical to or in pari materia with S.2-A not disturbed or declared ultra vires of the Constitution:

Honourable Supreme Court has not disturbed other identical provisions of law i.e. S.17(1-B) of West Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority Act, 1958, inserted in the Act by the Federal Ordinance LXXXIV of 1975 and S.3-E inserted in Sindh Service Tribunal Act, 1973 vide Sindh Act XXXI of 1994. No finding has been given on the vires of Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000 (Federal or Provincial). It may not be impertinent to mention here that as provided in Section 11 of the said Ordinance of 2000 “The provisions of this Ordinance shall have effect notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Civil Servants Act, 1973 (LXXI of 1973) and the rules made thereunder and any other law for the time being in force.” Section 11 beginning with or prefixed by the word ‘notwithstanding’ is a ‘non-obstante clause’. Marginal Heading of S.11 “Ordinance to override other laws” also clearly indicates that the Ordinance stands on a higher pedestal and applicability of Civil Servants Act and rules made thereunder or any other law has been ousted. S.12 of the Ordinance also provides “All proceedings initiated on the commencement of this Ordinance in respect of matters and persons in service provided for in this Ordinance shall be governed by the provisions of this Ordinance and rules made thereunder.”

“Ordinance was co-existent with such other laws; meaning thereby that if the competent Authority wanted to proceed against a person under the Ordinance; then provisions to the contrary contained in such other laws, were to be ignored and vice versa. Such was the clarification, which had been introduced by S.11 of North-West Frontier Province Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000 by using non-obstante clause therein.”[4] “In view of sections 11 and 12 of the Ordinance, the disciplinary proceedings could not be conducted against the appellant under the E&D Rules, 1975. ………. The provisions of Punjab Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000 shall have overriding effect.”[5] “Disciplinary proceedings were not taken under the prevalent Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000, and had been wrongly/ illegally taken under the Pakistan Steel Officer’s Service Rules and Regulations. Such proceedings stood vitiated being null and void.”[6]

Section 10 of the Ordinance of 2000 is again in the nature of non-obstante clause and provides “Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, any person aggrieved by any final order under section 9 may, within thirty days of the order, prefer an appeal to the Federal Service Tribunal established under the Service Tribunals Act, 1973 (LXX of 1973)……”. Proviso appended with S.10 of the Ordinance specifies its own period of limitation which is quite different from preconditions and limitation laid down in the proviso of S.4 of the Service Tribunals Act, 1973. Section 10 of the Ordinance provides a right of appeal before the Service Tribunal to the persons in Government service as well as corporation service, independent of S.2-A or 4 of the Service Tribunals Act, 1973 or any other law for the time being in force. Now if any person in the corporation service, being aggrieved of any penalty imposed upon him under the Ordinance of 2000, files appeal in the Federal Service Tribunal, an anomalous question would arise with regard to maintainability of such appeal in the presence of judgment of Supreme Court declaring S.2-A as ultra vires of the Constitution.

Mr. Wasim Sajjad, learned Sr. ASC also stated before Supreme Court “If the Court has decided to examine the vires of section 2-A of the STA, 1973, it would also be required to take into consideration the implications of the Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000, which covers both the categories of the employees i.e. civil servants and the workers; and this Ordinance has got the Constitutional protection, in view of the 17th Amendment in the Constitution.”

Similarly there is no difference between the status of employees of WAPDA and many other statutory bodies, Corporations etc. Both categories of employees are equally placed and deserve equal treatment. It is yet to be seen as to whether employees of WAPDA and corporations in the Province of Sindh are allowed to file appeals before the respective Service Tribunal because S.17(1-B) of West Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority Act, 1958 and S.3-E of Sindh Service Tribunal Act, 1973 are still in force and not disturbed by the Supreme Court. If the employees of WAPDA and Sindh Corporations continue to enjoy the status of ‘deemed civil servants’, it would be another anomalous and discriminatory situation resulting in miscarriage of justice. Reason found favour with the Supreme Court in declaring S.2-A as ultra vires of the Constitution is that the persons whose terms and conditions of service have not been determined by the Federal Legislature cannot by a deeming clause be treated civil servants. In the cases of WAPDA employees it is also abundantly clear that all terms and conditions of service have not been determined by the Federal Legislature itself. For example the matters relating to ‘Efficiency & Discipline’ of WAPDA employees have not been dealt with in  the Act of Parliament i.e. West Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority Act, 1958 but to provide for such matters Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 1978 were made by the WAPDA itself in exercise of powers conferred on it by S. 18 of the Act of 1958. For the sake of convenience S.17(1-B) of the Act of 1958 and S.3-E of Sindh Service Tribunals Act, 1973 are reproduced hereinbelow which are also in the nature of ‘deeming clause’ couched in the language almost in pari materia with S.2-A, Service Tribunals Act (reproduced hereinabove):-

“[(1-B) Service under the authority is hereby declared to be service of Pakistan and every person holding a post under the Authority, not being a person who is on deputation to the Authority from any Province, shall be deemed to be a civil servant for the purposes of the Service Tribunals Act, 1973 (LXX of 1973).]”

[7][3-E. Employee of a Corporation to be deemed Civil Servant. Notwithstanding anything contained in any law, service of Corporation is hereby declared to the service of the Province and every person holding a post in the Corporation, not being a person who is on deputation to the Corporation shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be a civil servant.]

Remedy available to persons in the service of statutory bodies, corporations etc.:

There is no escape from the affects and repercussions of the judgment passed by the Supreme Court, therefore, the immediate matter of concern for employees of statutory bodies, corporations etc. would be the remedy available to them. Employees covered by the definition of ‘workman’ have alternate remedy of filing grievance petition before Labour Courts. Employees adversely affected are those who are not covered by the definition of ‘workman’ i.e. officers and other supervisory staff whose terms and conditions of service are not governed by statutory rules. Supreme Court in its judgment has left it open for non-suited employees/ Appellants to avail remedy available to them prior to 10-06-1997.  Position prevailing prior to 10-06-1997 was that the only remedy available to such employees was suit for damages.

Supreme Court of Pakistan in various cases had held that where the employment of a person was not governed by the statutory rules of service, the principle of master and servant would become applicable. Neither Constitutional petition nor suit challenging order of termination of services could be maintained as a master was within his right to ask his servant to quit. Suit for damages was held to be the only remedy for such servant even if wrongfully dismissed from service. The view formed by superior courts in this regard was “Undesirable servants could not be thrusted upon an unwilling master.”[8] The position, however, has undergone a radical change in view of pronouncement of Supreme Court of Pakistan in Mrs. Anisa Rehman V P.I.A.C. and another (Civil Appeal No. 238-K of 1992), decided on 28-11-93, (1994 SCMR 2232). In that case it was held that if while passing an order detriment to the interest of the employee the principles of natural justice are violated, the employee can challenge that order by filing a Constitutional petition. The reason prevailed with the Supreme Court for so holding was that the natural justice being a part of every statute/ statutory instrument, its violation would in law be violative of the statutory provisions itself.

Whether black notion of English common law ‘Master and Servant’ stands revived?

S. 2-A, Service Tribunals Act, 1973 was in the nature of an inroad on the principle of master and servant and declaring the same as ultra vires of the Constitution has given rise to a question whether the weapon of this English common law principle will be used by the employers with full force against the persons in the service of statutory bodies, corporations etc. to non-suit them by technical knock-out? As discussed hereinabove, persons in the service of statutory bodies, corporations etc. are still enjoying the status of being ‘in the service of Pakistan’ inasmuch as second part of S.2-A (declaration of such employees in the service of Pakistan)  has not been held by the Supreme Court as ultra vires of the Constitution. In view of such position if in a case plea of master and servant is taken by the department in defence of employee’s proceedings instituted in the High Court in its Constitutional jurisdiction, it can legitimately be expected that such plea would pale into insignificance. Service of a person declared to be service of Pakistan cannot be claimed/ held to be governed by common law of Master and Servant. Effects of the judgment are yet to be observed. What would be the fate of proceedings instituted in the High Courts in its Constitutional jurisdiction by the persons in the service of statutory bodies, corporations etc. whose appeals before the Tribunal stood abated? Whether as a corollary of the judgment of the Supreme Court black notion of English common law i.e. the principle of ‘Master and Servant’ would stand revived? Though during the previous many decades superior courts have upheld the theory of ‘Master and Servant’ but there is no dearth of case-law against such theory reproduced under:--

General law of “master and servant” has undergone radical changes mainly due to insertion of S. 2-A in Service Tribunals Act, 1973. Employees of any corporation irrespective of the fact whether it has got statutory rules or not can approach the Service Tribunal for redressal of his grievances pursuant to the provisions as contained in S. 2-A, Service Tribunals Act, 1973. Relationship of “master and servant” does not confer unbridled or unfettered powers to act whimsically or capriciously in violation of the principles of natural justice and well-settled norms of justice.”[9]Concept of such relation did not enjoy Constitutional backing or any other law including Islamic tenets. Principle of ‘Master and Servant’ being absolutely below human dignity, would not be maintained.”[10] “Law of master and servant, is a notion of English common law and does not emanate from any Constitutional provision or even a statute or some injunctions of Holy Qur’an or Sunnah of the Holy Prophet. Resort to rule of English common law could not be taken effect in view of Art. 2-A of the Constitution.”[11] “The resort to a rule of common law of English in preference to the one of Pakistan Law or a rule of Islamic law or jurisprudence; or for that matter, the Islamic Common Law, is not now possible under the Pakistan Constitution and legal set up.”[12] “Pleadings on the basis of “Master and Servant” relationship should be discarded by litigants as said principle insulted the decency of human being.”[13] In another case, contention of the Corporation was that services of the employees were governed by the principle of Master and Servant, thus, Service Tribunal had no jurisdiction to grant the relief of reinstatement, but in such situation at the best, employees would have claimed damages. Supreme Court repelled the contention while holding that it was wrong to contend that on the theory of master and servant relationship, Service Tribunal had no jurisdiction to re-instate an employee, whose services had been illegally terminated.”[14]

Mr. Muhammad Akram Sheikh, learned Sr. ASC also argued before the Supreme Court that ultimate Constitutional objective is to establish an egalitarian society, and if there was a sufficient public law element, then the concept of master and servant will not be applicable. Mr. Abdul Mujeeb Prizada, learned ASC also pointed out before the Court “The principle of master and servant is violative of the Injunctions of Islam, Qur’an and Sunnah and the Objectives Resolution. This principle is also violative of Article 14 of the Constitution being against the dignity of person, security of life and property of the individual employees, guaranteed under Article 9 of the Constitution. This principle is also discriminatory and runs against the provisions of Article 25 of the Constitution, therefore, section 2-A of STA, 1973 is to be saved in the interest of justice.”

Efficacy of Constitutional jurisdiction of High Court in juxtaposition with the powers of Service Tribunal to examine questions of law and fact:

By incorporation of S. 2-A, Service Tribunals Act, 1973 the legislature had provided them an efficacious remedy of filing appeals before the Tribunal. All questions of law and facts could be taken before Service Tribunal.[15] Such appeal would lie both on question of law and fact, which Tribunal would be under legal obligation to decide.[16] Supreme Court has gone to the extent of holding that “Even Constitutional issues could be taken before Service Tribunal and dealt with in exercise of its exclusive jurisdiction”[17]; “Civil servant cannot bypass Service Tribunal by adding ground of violation of Fundamental Rights. Service Tribunal shall have jurisdiction in a case which is founded on the terms and conditions of service, even if it involves a question of Fundamental Rights”[18]; “Vires of rules should also be challenged before the Service Tribunal”[19] and “Orders, even if mala fide, ultra vies or coram non judice, fell within the ambit of Service Tribunal and jurisdiction of Civil Courts including High Court was ipso facto ousted as a result of barring provisions of Article 212 of the Constitution.” [20]

Service Tribunal, being a Court of fact as well as law, is vested with jurisdiction to take into consideration all the pros and cons of the cases in minute details and, after application of judicial mind, may pass appropriate orders. From the powers of the Tribunal it may be observed that the scope of Service Tribunal’s jurisdiction in service matters is much wider than that of the High Court. The exercise of power by the Tribunal is not restricted to the striking down of only those actions which are mala fide, without jurisdiction or coram non judice. In the Constitutional jurisdiction of the High Court there always remains a danger of being knocked out on some technical grounds. Theory of Master and Servant or non-statutory rules usually come in the way of remedy sought by the employees of statutory bodies, corporations etc. from the High Court. In constitutional/ writ petitions arguments are to be confined to jurisdictional defects and the burden of proving violation of any law or statutory rule is on the shoulder of petitioner by pointing out legal infirmities from which the impugned departmental orders suffer. Resolution of disputed questions of fact requiring detailed inquiry can not be ventured upon in the Constitutional jurisdiction.

Service Tribunal is vested with vast power to enter into the realm of facts and to consider violation of any rules, regulations and even instructions or policies, irrespective of its statutory force. Under section 5 (1) of Service Tribunals Act, 1973 the Tribunal has been empowered, on appeal, to confirm, set aside, vary or modify the order appealed against. The Tribunal in appropriate cases frequently exercise this discretionary power and the punishments awarded by departmental authorities are either set aside or some other minor penalty, commensurate with the gravity of charge, is imposed on the appellant employee. Supreme Court does not normally interfere with such exercise of discretion by the Tribunal, so long the order passed by the Tribunal in appeal against the order of Departmental Authority shows application of mind, the reasons given by the Tribunal satisfy the test of reasonableness and does not suffer from arbitrariness. Supreme Court interferes with the judgment of the Tribunal only when it finds that there were no valid reasons for reduction of penalty and discretion was exercised by the Tribunal on irrelevant consideration in an arbitrary manner, which the law does not countenance and the same requires correction.

On the other hand, the High Court, in its Constitutional jurisdiction, has no such power to examine the gravity of charge and quantum of punishment for the purpose of substitution of harsh punishment with that of a lenient one. Extraordinary discretionary Constitutional jurisdiction of High Court is confined to declaration of any order passed or proceedings taken as without lawful authority and of no legal effect in exceptional cases where violation of any provision of law, mala fides or want of jurisdiction is shown on the face of record.

High Court would normally abstain to exercise such jurisdiction and remain slow in interfacing in such factual controversy and would exercise same reluctantly only in exceptional cases.[21] Superior courts should not undertake to investigate questions of fact necessitating taking of evidence, which can more appropriately be done in a suit. Constitutional jurisdiction is intended primarily for providing an expeditious remedy, where illegality of action of executive or other authority can be established without elaborate inquiry into the complicated or disputed fact. [22]

Some recent cases involving interpretation of the Supreme Court’s judgment:

Disposal of appeal by Service Tribunal by issuing notice of abatement through its Registrar---- Validity.---- In a recent case, it was complained before Supreme Court that the petitioner’s appeal was disposed by the Service Tribunal through a notice issued by its Registrar without passing a judicial order. Learned counsel for the respondent, when confronted with the argument put forward by the petitioner’s counsel, contended that as appeals stood abated, therefore, Chairman had passed a general order directing the Registrar to inform the appellants accordingly. Therefore, petitioner’s appeal was disposed of accordingly. Supreme Court declined to agree with the submissions of learned counsel for the respondent because separate orders were required to be passed in every case by the Service Tribunal after providing opportunity to the parties keeping in view the observations made by Supreme Court in the judgment relied upon. Held: The notice of information that appeals have been abated could not be considered as judicial order. As such it would be deemed that appeal of appellant is pending on the file of FST and is required to be disposed of. Supreme converted the petition into appeal and remanded the case to FST for disposal of appeal accordingly.[23]

Abatement of pending proceedings---- Scope and extent.----  Law laid down in the judgment of Supreme Court in Muhammad Mubeen-us-Salam and others v. Federation of Pakistan PLD 2006 SC 602 reiterated/ recapitulated. Said judgment was rendered by the Supreme Court while cases filed by the employees and the employers were before it either at leave stage or appeal stage. Transactions past and closed were saved. Cases pending before the Supreme Court could not be said to be past and closed transactions. Judgment in Muhammad Mubeen-us-Salam applied only to the proceedings in relation to the cases which were pending before the Supreme Court (either at appeal stage or at leave stage) and therefore, the cases in which judgments of the Service Tribunal were never assailed before the Supreme Court had attained finality. Section 2-A, Service Tribunals Act, 1973 was ultra vires of Arts. 240 & 260 of the Constitution and unless services of an employee were governed by statutory rules he had no right to invoke jurisdiction of the Service Tribunal. Contention that judgments rendered by Service Tribunal (implemented or not) should be maintained would be totally destructive of the law declared in Muhammad Mubeen-us-Salam and others v. Federation of Pakistan PLD 2006 SC 602. If abatement was applied only to the petitions or appeals of the employers pending before Supreme Court, it would amount to validating judgments/ orders of the Service Tribunal without even examining them. Proceedings initiated before the Service Tribunal from their very inception stood abated. Direction for abatement by Supreme Court in Muhammad Mubeen-us-Salam and others v. Federation of Pakistan’s case was not under S. 6, Service Tribunals Act, 1973; basis of the direction was that in cases where services of any employee were not governed by statutory rules he could not invoke S. 2-A of the Service Tribunals Act, 1973 and as a corollary to and as a matter of course in such cases the Service Tribunal had no jurisdiction and after such finding, it could not possibly be said that only matters pending before the Supreme Court, would abate leaving the judgments of Service Tribunal intact. In fact, nullifying the proceedings taken before the Service Tribunal was not only the plain intention of the Supreme Court but was also spelt out by the directions given in Muhammad Mubeen-us-Salam and others v. Federation of Pakistan’s case. View in the Supreme Court judgment in the case of State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan 2007 SCMR 1400 was inconsistent with the concept of abatement as contemplated by the judgment in Muhammad Mubeen-us-Salam and others v. Federation of Pakistan’s case. [24]

In another case, however, High Court directed the State Life Insurance Corporation to implement judgment of Service Tribunal given in favour of employee against which petition was filed in the Supreme Court. Order of the Tribunal was also suspended and it was alleged that at the time of delivering judgment in the case of Muhammad Mubeen-ul-Islam and others V Federation of Pakistan PLD 2006 SC 602, no judgment in favour of employee held the field and in view of paragraph 109(b) of this judgment, the claim of employee stood abated. It was also alleged that employee could not claim any right unless he resorted to the proper forum within 90 days and obtained relief therefrom. Supreme Court held that the matter pending before this Court was the petition of State Life Insurance and hence the cause that abated would be their petition and not the appeal of the respondent, which stood already decided by the Federal Service Tribunal, giving relief to the respondent (employee). Finally it was held by the Supreme Court that the learned High Court has rightly directed in the implementation of the judgment of Federal Service Tribunal. [25]

In a case an employee of Zarai Taraqiati Bank was reinstated in service on the basis of judgment passed by Service Tribunal. After pronouncement of judgment by Supreme Court in case titled Muhammad Mubeen-ul-Islam and others V Federation of Pakistan PLD 2006 SC 602, authorities terminated the service of employee. Being aggrieved of termination, employee filed Constitutional petition in the High Court. Plea raised by petitioner was that since he had been reinstated in service, therefore, his case was past and closed and transaction. High Court declared the relevant office memorandum to be unlawful and set aside it. Held that bona fide actions of public functionaries in ordinary discharge of their duties were not struck down merely on the ground of subsequent findings as to legal infirmity either in the appointment or with respect to powers of Tribunal exercised in ordinary course of their business and declared otherwise in subsequent findings. Doctrine of de facto was attracted in such cases. Being past and closed transaction such cases would not fall within the ambit of conditions set forth in the judgment relied upon by the authorities, as no case was pending between the parties. [26] Bank challenged the order of the High Court in the Supreme Court but petition of the Bank was found to be without any merit and substance and the same was dismissed. Supreme observed that the petitioner-Bank indeed had raised no grievance against judgment of the Tribunal for a period of seven years. For all intents and purposes, petitioners had accepted and acknowledged the finality of the judgment passed by the Tribunal in favour of the respondent and, in law, there was no legal or moral justification to reopen the case of respondent, which had attained finality and was a past and closed transaction for all purposes. [27]

Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000, S.10---- Right of appeal before Service Tribunal---- Scope and conflicting judicial views.---- Supreme Court granted leave to appeal to examine that what would be the effect of the judgment of this Court, dated 27-6-2006 pronounced in Civil Appeals No. 792 of 2005 etc. Muhammad Mubeen-us-Salma v. Federation of Pakistan and others PLD 2007 SC 602, pertaining to the interpretation of section 2-A of the Service Tribunals Act, 1973 on those cases in which removal or dismissal from service had taken place under the Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000 because according to learned counsel, the category of such employees is altogether different from the category of the employees who have been removed under ordinary provisions of law of a Corporation etc. wherein in terms of section 2-A of the Service Tribunals Act, 1973, employees were declared as the civil servants. [28]

Supreme Court having declared S.2-A of Service Tribunals Act, 1973 only partially and not wholly invalid, a distinction, must, therefore, be made between corporation employees whose conditions of service were regulated by Statute and those regulated by internal rules or individual contract and the ouster of jurisdiction of Service Tribunal was applicable only in respect of latter category/ regulated by internal rules or individual contract. Corporation employees had not been declared to in service of Pakistan under Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000, even through a legal fiction. Section 10 of the Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000 was also ultra vires of Art. 212 of the Constitution. Distinction ought to be maintained between cases where terms and conditions of employment were protected or governed by statute or statutory rules framed by the Government and those where they were determined by regulations framed by the corporation entities, themselves for their internal use or by way of bilateral agreement; in the former category of cases, relief of reinstatement could be obtained; but in the later case, the only remedy available to an aggrieved employees was to seek damages for breach of agreement. Said distinction could be treated as implied terms and conditions of a contract of employment.[29]

11. So far as the appeal under Section 10 of the Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000 is concerned, such appeals had also been filed by Appellants/ petitioners in their capacity as civil servants under Section 2-A of the Service Tribunals Act, 1973, but such position having been done away with, they cannot approach the Service Tribunal for remedy as under Article 212 the Service Tribunal has exclusive jurisdiction in respect of terms and conditions of civil servants only as defined under Section 2(1)(b) of the Civil Servants Act, 1973. The learned counsel for the respondents has rightly stated that the door of the Tribunal closed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court under the constitutional provisions of Articles 240 and 260, cannot be re-opened by a subordinate legislation like Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000. [30]

But in another recent case where an employee of WAPDA was proceeded against under the provisions of the said Ordinance of 2000, he, being aggrieved of final order passed under section 9 ibid, filed constitutional petition in the Lahore High Court under Article 199 of the Constitution, such petition was held as not maintainable on the ground that petitioner could file appeal before the Federal Service Tribunal. It was also held by the Court that in such cases, dictum of Supreme Court in the case of Muhammad Mubeen-ul-Islam and others V Federation of Pakistan PLD 2006 SC 602 is not attracted. [31]

In a case where an employee of the Board of Secondary Education was retired under Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000, his appeal was dismissed by the Service Tribunal  on the ground that under S.2(b) of the N.-W.F.P. Civil Servants Act, 1973 he being an employee of the Board of Secondary Education, was not a civil servant. Aggrieved employee filed petition for leave to appeal in the Supreme Court. Held. Compulsory retirement was ordered under S.3 of N.-W.F.P. Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000 and S.10, thereof, dealing with appeals, had categorically laid down that notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, any person aggrieved by any final order shall prefer appeal before the Service Tribunal established under N.-W.F.P. Service Tribunals Act, 1974. N.-W.F.P. Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000 being the latest special law had provided a forum of appeal to anyone who was proceeded against under the said Ordinance. Appeal therefore, was competent before the Service Tribunal which was wrongly dismissed by the Tribunal. Petition for leave to appeal, after its conversion into appeal by the Supreme Court, was accepted and the case was remanded to the Service Tribunal for decision on merits. [32]

S. 2-A, Service Tribunals Act, 1973---- Declaration as ultra vires of the Constitution---- Dictum not applicable to cases in which services of employees are governed by statutory rules.----  Case in which the services of employees were governed by statutory rules were not hit by the Supreme Court judgment in Muhammad Mubeen-us-Salam and others v. Federation of Pakistan PLD 2006 SC 602. Supreme Court directed that cases of employees whose services were not governed by statutory rules stood abated but other cases would require further hearing on the question whether services of employees in those cases were or were not governed by statutory rules and same shall be fixed for disposal before appropriate bench. [33]

Service of WAPDA declared to be service of Pakistan---- S. 17(1B), WAPDA Act, 1958 not repugnant to Art. 260 of the Constitution.---- Provision of Section 17(1B) of the WAPDA Act, 1958, declaring the services of the authority to be service of Pakistan is neither deleted from the Act nor is any way repugnant to the provision of Art. 260 of the Constitution……… Service under authority was declared to be service of Pakistan for the purposes of Service Tribunals Act. Service of Pakistan means any service declared to be a service of Pakistan by an order or under an Act of Parliament. Service under authority being declared to be a service of Pakistan by the Act of Parliament cannot be said to be repugnant to the provision of Art. 260 by any stretch of reasoning. [34]

Chief Executive’s Order No. 6 of 2001 and vires of S.2-A, Service Tribunal Act, 1973---- Status of employees of P.I.A.C.---- 12. Reverting back to the status of the employees of the PIAC and that of a civil servant under Chief Executive’s Order No. 6 of 2001 and the right of appeal of such civil servants before the Service Tribunal, it will be advantageous to reproduce the relevant Article 4 of the said order:-

Service under Corporation to be service of Pakistan.---- Service under the corporation is hereby declared to be service of Pakistan and every person holding a post under the Corporation, not being a person who is on deputation to the Corporation, shall be deemed to be a Civil servant for the purpose of the Service Tribunals Act, 1973 (LXX of 1973). Any person aggrieved by an order, made under Article 3 of this Order, may within thirty days of the order, prefer appeal to the Service Tribunal established under the said Act and the provisions of that Act shall, mutatis mutandis, apply.

A comparison of above Article 4 of the Chief Executive’s Order No. 6 of 2001 with Section 2-A of the Service Tribunals Act, 1973 shows that the language of both of these are identical in all material particulars, therefore, we agree with the learned counsel for the respondents that by necessary implication, the status of the employees of the PIAC with their right of appeal before the Service Tribunal has been rendered redundant. We are at a loss to understand how Article 4 of the Chief Executive’s Order No. 6 of 2001 override the judgment of the nine honourable Judges of the Supreme Court striking down Section 2-A as being ultra vires of the Constitution. [35]

Vires of S.2-A, Service Tribunal Act, 1973---- National Highway and Motorway Police, Employee of---- Notice of abatement recalled.---- Notice of abatement of appeal was issued by Assistant Registrar of the Tribunal to appellant in pursuance of judgment of Supreme Court. Appellant had filed petition for recalling of said notice of abatement. During hearing of said petition, counsel of appellant produced a copy of Notification dated 15-02-2007 wherein it was stated that the “Federal Law Enforcement Agency” had included along with others, Federal Investigating Agency, Pakistan Motorway and Highway Police. Notice of abatement of appeal issued to appellant, was recalled. Case of appellant being within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Service Tribunal, would proceed, accordingly. [36]

Provisions of S. 13(3) of National Highway Act, 1991 showed that service under National Highway Authority had been declared to be service of Pakistan and every person holding a post under that Authority was deemed to be civil servant for the purpose of Service Tribunals Act, 1973. [37]

Remedy available to corporation employees.---- . Irrespective of an employee of a State controlled corporation, not being a civil servant corporations themselves would continue to remain amenable to the jurisdiction of High Court under Art. 199 of the Constitution. Rule of master and servant was inapplicable to cases where there was violation of statutory provisions or of any other law. Expression ‘violation of law’ would not be confined to violation of any specific provision of a statute, but expression ‘law’ ought to be considered in its generic sense as connoting all that was treated as law in the country including even the judicial principles laid down from time to time by the superior courts. Accepted norms of legal process postulate a strict performance of all the functions and duties laid down by law, and include the principles of natural justice, public duty to act fairly and honestly and absence of mala fides in fact and law. Court, in all such cases, would be competent to grant relief of reinstatement. All petitions complaining of removal under the provisions of Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000 having been taken in exercise of statutory powers, were maintainable and High Court would be competent to consider whether action complained of was in accordance with provisions of Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000. Where violation of law was alleged, High Court would be competent to entertain petitions and grant appropriate relief within parameters of its jurisdiction under Art. 199 of the Constitution. Where, however, grievance of petitioner was not founded upon any violation of law, but merely upon violation of a condition contained in the contract of employment, the rules of Master and Servant would apply and petitions would not be entertainable. Since upon the pronouncement of judgment as to absence of jurisdiction of Service Tribunal when petitioners had approached High Court for hearing on the plea that no alternate remedy was available any more, such petitions would be entertainable and dismissal of the earlier petitions, would not be treated as res judicata. [38]

Consequently, such employees including those employed by public sector banks, had no remedy available before Service Tribunal, therefore, only forum available for plaintiff to agitate his claim for compensation was the competent civil court. [39]

Appellant, in circumstances, could not be treated as a civil servant under S.2-A of Service Tribunals Act, 1973 as his terms and conditions were not determined by Federal legislation. Appeal was allowed and impugned order and decree was set aside, with the result that suit filed by appellant would be deemed to be pending before civil court, which would be decided in accordance with law. [40]

Conclusion:

Whether Service Tribunals Act, 1973, as a whole, is ultra vires of Article 212 (1) (a) of the Constitution?

Article 212 (1) (a) of the Constitution, under which the Tribunal has been established, speaks about the terms and conditions of service of persons in the service of Pakistan, and the Legislature has not used the term ‘civil servant’ in this Article or elsewhere in the Constitution. On the other hand in the Preamble of the Service Tribunals Act, 1973 phrase ‘in respect of matters relating to terms and conditions of service of civil servants” has been used and S. 4 (1) of the Act also starts with the words “any civil servant aggrieved by any order………” It is my humble view that the Legislature has travelled beyond the mandate given by Article 212 (1) (a) of the Constitution in promulgation of Service Tribunals Act, 1973 for establishing the Service Tribunal for “civil servants’ only which term is alien to the Constitution. Legislature was competent only to establish Administrative Tribunal to deal with matters relating to terms and conditions of service of persons in the service of Pakistan and could not limit it to the civil servants only. Such legal position may open another pandora’s box whether the Service Tribunals Act, 1973, as a whole, is ultra vires of the Article 212 (1) (a) of the Constitution. There may also be no cavil with the proposition that the terms ‘civil servant’ and ‘service of Pakistan’ are not synonymous and both are quite distinct in nature. Constitutionality of the Tribunal, therefore, may also be called in question in appropriate proceedings before the superior Courts. For the interpretation of the Constitution or a Statute there are settled rules/ principles some of which are old as Hills are and one of such principle is that nothing shall be added in a piece of legislation what is omitted nor shall be omitted anything from it which is expressly mentioned. Phrase ‘Service of Pakistan’ and not the ‘civil servant’ is expressly mentioned in Article 212 (1) (a) of the Constitution, therefore, neither former can be omitted nor the later be added in this Article short of legislative will by bringing amendment in the said Article.

‘Service of Pakistan’ and ‘civil servants’---- Expressions not synonymous.----  We would like to mention here that from the trend of arguments at the bar it appeared that the two expressions ‘Service of Pakistan’ and ‘civil servants’ were treated as synonymous. This in our opinion is not so. Service of Pakistan is defined in Article 260 of the Constitution as meaning, any service, post or office in connection with the affairs of Federation or a Province. This expression also includes an All Pakistan Service and a service in the Armed Forces or any other service declared under an Act of the Parliament or a Provincial Assembly as Service of Pakistan. The term ‘civil servant’ is defined in Civil Servants Act, 1973 as a person, who is member of an All Pakistan Service or of a Civil Service of the Federation or a person holding a civil post in connection with the affairs of Federation, including a civil post connected with the defence. …………. On a careful examination of the definitions of ‘service of Pakistan’ as given in Article 260 of the Constitution and the ‘civil servant’ as mentioned in the Civil Servants Act, 1973, it would appear that the two expressions are not synonymous. The expression ‘Service of Pakistan’ used in Article 260 of the Constitution has much wider connotation than the term ‘civil servant’ employed in the Civil Servants Act. While ‘civil servant’ is included in the expression ‘Service of Pakistan’, the vice versa is not true.[41]

Post of an Ambassador is a post in connection with the “affairs of the Federation”. Mere fact that a person was not a civil servant within the meaning of Civil Servants Act would not put him beyond the pale of definition of “service of Pakistan” as contained in Article 240 of the Constitution. [42]

Obligations of the Bar and Legislature under the changed circumstances:

Supreme Court’s larger bench has given its binding verdict which, in stricto senso, is unexceptionable but at the same time it is also worth-consideration that Supreme Court has merely pointed out some defects in the legislation of S.2-A. Now, therefore, it is turn of the Bar to discharge its obligation to discover the ratio of the judgment and also point out its social impacts. Mr. Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, learned Sr. ASC rightly contended before the Supreme Court “This Court does not act in vacuum. The Court has to take notice of conditions in which the society is functioning. That is why it is said that no Constitution is rigid. While dealing with the case, we have to look into the ever changing circumstances of the society.” Mr. Wasim Sajjad, learned Sr. ASC also added “The Court while interpreting the Constitutional provisions has to keep in mind the social set up of the country.” Mr. Babar Awan, learned ASC referred to Article 37(d) of the Constitution which provides for promotion of social justice and to ensure inexpensive and expeditious justice to every citizen.

High echelons at the Bar are under obligation to endeavour for persuading the legislators to cure the defects pointed out by the Court. As a result of such legislative measures, right of filing appeal before Service Tribunal, previously given to persons in the service of statutory bodies, corporations etc., may be protected. Such legislative measures may save them from the repercussions of black law of Master & Servant. Legislature seems to be enthusiastically proactive to set right the controversial constitutional provisions of political nature through “constitutional package” but nothing is indicative from any quarter whatsoever as to whether social problems like providing uniform judicial remedy to persons in the service of statutory bodies, corporations etc. are under serious consideration at any end. Under the circumstances the Legislature is under obligation to realize the social impacts of the judgment and respond to the needs of time. Legislature through appropriate legislative measures is expected to:--

(1)   cure the legislative defects/ infirmities pointed out by the Supreme Court in the language employed in S. 2-A, Service Tribunals Act, 1973;

(2)   bring appropriate amendments in Articles 212, 240 and 260 of the Constitution to include “service of a corporation or office set up, owned or controlled by the Federal Government” in the “service of Pakistan”; and

(3)   incorporate necessary corresponding amendments in S.2 (1) (b), Civil Servants Act, 1973 and S. 2-A, Service Tribunals Act, 1973.

Lastly it may be pertinent to mention here that Article 323-A of the Indian Constitution is a model provision showing the consciousness of the Indian Legislators to meet the future needs of the society. Said Article providing for establishment of Administrative Tribunals reads as under:

323-A. Administrative Tribunals: (1) Parliament may, by law, provide for the adjudication or trial by Administrative Tribunals of disputes and complaints with respect to recruitment and conditions of service of persons appointed to public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of any State or any local or other authority within the territory of India or under the control of the Government of India or of any Corporation owned or controlled by the Government.” (emphasis supplied by me).

 



[1] Pakistan State Oil Co. Ltd. V Muhammad Tahir Khan and others, 2001 PLC (C.S.) 591 [S.C.] = PLD 2001 SC 980.

[2] Mahboob Hussain Qamar and others V United Bank Limited through President and others, PLD 2001 SC 193.

[3] Inserted and shall be deemed always to have been so inserted by the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1974 (XXXIII of 1974), section 12 (w.e.f. 4th May, 1974).

[4] Rooh-ul-Amin V University of Peshawar and 3 others, 2006 PLC (C.S.) 813 [Peshawar High Court].

[5] Muhammad Sajid Iftikhar Gujar V Chief Secretary, Government of the Punjab, Lahore and another, PLJ 2006 Tr.C. (Services) 73 [P.S.T.]  = 2006 PLC (C.S.) 396 [P.S.T.]. See also Muhammad Qayyum V Siddique Ahmed Nayyar, PLJ 2005 Tr.C. (Services) 349  = 2006 PLC (C.S.) 392 [F.S.T.] and Nisar Ahmed Qureshi V Chairman, Pakistan Steel, Bin Qasim, Karachi, PLJ 2005 Tr.C. (Services) 343.

[6] Nisar Ahmed Qureshi and others V Chairman, Pakistan Steel Bin Qasim, Karachi and another, 2006 PLC (C.S.) 675 [F.S.T.].

[7] New sections 3-E and 3-F inserted by Sindh Service Tribunals (Amendment) Act, 1994 [Act XXXI of 1994], Notification No. PAS/ Legis. B-26/94, dated 16-1-1995, published in Gazette of Sindh, Extraordinary, Part IV, 16th January, 1995, PLD 1996 Sindh Statutes 229.

[8] Muslim Commercial Bank Ltd. and another V Muhammad Shafi, 2002 PLC 124. Muhammad Umar Malik V Muslim Commercial Bank, 1995 SCMR 453 ref.

[9] Farasat Hussain and others V Pakistan National Shipping Corporation through its Chairman and others, PLJ 2005 SC 212 = 2005 PLC (C.S.) 890 [S.C.].

[10] Saeed Khan Mobejo V Trading Corporation of Pakistan (PVT) Limited through Chairman and others, 2005 PLC (C.S.) 1171 [F.S.T.].

[11] Muhammad Ashraf V Director-General, Multan Development Authority, Multan and another, 2000 PLC (C.S.) 796 [Lahore High Court].

[12] Muhammad Akram V Mst. Farman Bi, PLD 1990 SC 28.

[13] Ghulam Mustafa Khairati V Federation of Pakistan through Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Islamabad and another, 2005 PLC (C.S.) 417 [F.S.T.]. See also Saeed Khan Mobejo V Trading Corporation of Pakistan (PVT) Limited through Chairman and others, 2005 PLC (C.S.) 1171 [F.S.T.].

[14] Abdul Hafeez Abbasi and others V Managing Director, Pakistan International Airlines Corporation, Karachi and others, 2002 SCMR 1034 = 2002 PLC (C.S.) 1083 [S.C.].

[15] Ejaz Rahim V. Federation of Pakistan, 1999 PLC (C.S.) 38 [Lahore High Court] = PLJ 1998 Lah. 1628 = 2000 PLC (C.S.) 145.

[16] Managing Director NBF, Islamabad and 2 others V Muhammad Arif Raja, 2006 PLC (C.S.) 193 [S.C.] = PLD 2006 SC 175 = PLJ 2006 SC 777.

[17] Sayed Sagheer Ahmed Naqvi V Province of Sindh and another, 1996 SCMR 1165 = 1996 PLC (C.S.) 803 = NLR 1995 TD (Service) 244.

[18] Munir Ahmed Sheikh V Federation of Pakistan through Secretary, Establishment Division and another, 2002 PLC (C.S.) 394 [Lahore High Court]. See also AJ&K Council and 2 others V Abdul Rashid Tahir and 255 others, 2003 PLC (C.S.) 23 [S.C. AJ&K]; I.A. Sherwani and others V. Government of Pakistan 1991 SCMR 1041.

[19] I.A. Sherwani and others V. Government of Pakistan 1991 SCMR 1041. See also Government of the Punjab and others V Muhammad Zafar Bhatti and others, PLD 2004 SC 317 = PLJ 2004 SC 210 = 2004 PLC (C.S.) 881 [S.C.]; Raja Shakeel Ahmad V Azad Govt. through its Chief Secretary New Secretariat Muzaffarabad and 3 others, PLJ 2005 AJ&K 1.

[20] Khalid Mehmood Watto V Government of the Punjab, 1998 SCMR 2280. See also XEN, Highways, Mirpur V Ch. Maqsood Ahmad, Overseer, Roads Division, Mirpur and 5 others, 1999 PLC (C.S.) 1252 [S.C. AJ&K] and Muhammad Hashim and another V Government of Punjab through Secretary, Health Punjab, Lahore and 3 others, 1999 PLC (C.S.) 1340 [Lahore High Court]; Munawar A. Shaikh and 51 others V Federation of Pakistan and others, 1999 PLC (C.S.) 1404 [Karachi High Court].

[21] Pervez Alam V Pakistan Dairy Products (PVT.) Limited, Karachi and 2 others, 2005 SCMR 1840.

[22] Punjab Small Industries Corporation V Ahmad Akhtar Cheema, 2002 PLC (C.S.) 182 [S.C.] = 2002 SCMR 549.

[23] Raja Riaz V Chairman, Pakistan Space an Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, Karachi, 2008 SCMR 402.

[24] PLD 2007 SC 681 = 2007 PLC (C.S.) 1332 [S.C.].

[25] 2007 SCMR 1400 referred in PLD 2007 SC 681 = 2007 PLC (C.S.) 1332 [S.C.] but declared as inconsistent with the judgment of Supreme Court in Muhammad Mubeen-us-Salam and others V Federation of Pakistan through Secretary, Ministry of Defence and others, PLD 2006 SC 602 = PLJ 2006 SC 1296 (Full Bench) whereby S.2-A, Service Tribunals Act, 1973 declared as partially ultra vires of the Constitution.

[26] 2007 PLC (C.S.) 663 [Karachi High Court].

[27] 2007 SCMR 1698 = PLJ 2007 SC 10.

[28] Umar Draz Khan V P.I.A. through Chairman and others, 2008 SCMR 420.

[29] 2007 PLC (C.S.) 1046 [Karachi High Court Full Bench].

[30] PLJ 2007 Tr.C. 29 [F.S.T.].

[31] 2007 PLC (C..S) 1 [Lahore High Court].

[32] 2005 SCMR 1603.

[33] PLD 2007 SC 681 = 2007 PLC (C.S.) 1332 [S.C.].

[34] PLJ 2008 Peshawar 11.

[35] PLJ 2007 Tr.C. 29 [F.S.T.].

[36] 2007 PLC (C.S.) 894 [F.S.T.].

[37] 1999 PLC 52.

[38] 2007 PLC (C.S.) 1046 [Karachi High Court Full Bench].

[39] National Bank of Pakistan, Karachi and 6 others V Muhammad Ismail Malik, 2007 PLC (C.S.) 1231 [Lahore High Court].

[40] 2007 PLC (C.S.) 1325 [Lahore High Court].

[41] Pakistan V. Wali Muhammad, Registrar, Supreme Court of Pakistan V. Wali Muhammad, 1997 SCMR 141 = 1997 PLC (C.S.) 137 = NLR 1997 Service SC 45.

[42] Abida Hussain V. Tribunal for N.A. 69, Jhang PLD 1994 SC 60.