Pakistan
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) is set to hear a significant case concerning the recruitment process within the federal police force. This case, scheduled for March 16, 2026, has garnered attention due to its potential implications on the hiring practices and quota allocations within the Islamabad Police.
The controversy began in 2024 when the IHC issued a stay order on the recruitment process of the Islamabad Police. The primary contention revolves around the quota system for positions up to BPS-15. Petitioners argue that all positions within the Islamabad Police should be exclusively allocated to residents holding domiciles of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). This stance challenges the existing policy, which reserves 50% of the positions for local candidates, while the remaining seats are distributed among candidates from various provinces and territories across Pakistan.
Initially, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani presided over the matter. In August 2024, he issued a stay order preventing the induction of candidates from outside the capital into the police force. Justice Kayani also sought input from the Attorney General and the Advocate General regarding the quota allocations for provinces and other territories in filling vacancies within Islamabad-based government departments.
Given the complexities and potential nationwide implications of the case, it was remanded to the Chief Justice for the formation of a larger bench. Consequently, a three-member bench, led by Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar and including Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro and Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas, was constituted to deliberate on the matter.
The outcome of this case holds significant implications for the recruitment policies of the Islamabad Police and potentially other federal departments. A ruling favoring the petitioners could lead to a restructuring of hiring practices, emphasizing local representation within the capital's police force. Conversely, upholding the current quota system would maintain the status quo, allowing for a diverse representation from various provinces and territories.
Advocates for the petitioners emphasize the importance of local representation in law enforcement agencies, arguing that officers familiar with the region's unique dynamics can serve the community more effectively. On the other hand, proponents of the existing quota system highlight the benefits of diversity and the promotion of national integration within federal institutions.
As the Islamabad High Court prepares to hear this pivotal case, all eyes are on the judiciary to provide clarity on the constitutional and legal interpretations of domicile-based recruitment policies. The decision will not only impact the Islamabad Police but could also set a precedent for other federal departments and their hiring practices.
