KARACHI: A group of officers of 358 terminated employees surrounded EOBI Head Office for last one week trying to give their joining report. According to EOBI spokesman management heard grievances of terminated employees, however, they were adamant with their illegal demand for restoration through joining reports. On August 23-24, 2023 these terminated employees managed to enter EOBI offices in form of mob and disrupted office work.

Mob not only kept over 150 officials under hostage by blocking main gates for over 8 hours but also created hindrances for general public. Their representatives were facilitated to deliberate their grievances with Chairperson EOBI and management attempted to convince them that since they stand terminated on basis of judicial orders, management cannot do anything regarding their reinstatement.

According to details several appointments were made in EOBI from 2010 to 2013 in violation of prescribed recruitment procedure as set out, in EOBI Operating Manual during tenure of then Chairman, Zafar Iqbal Gondal. In compliance with Court Orders, services of 358 employees were terminated forthwith vide office order No.77/2014 march 17, 2014. Terminated employees questioned judgment on many grounds however, all of them availed opportunity of Review Petition Article 188 of Constitution. A larger bench consisting of five judges dismissed these review petitions vide judgment July 8, 2014. As per law, matter attained finality as per Article 189 of Constitution of Pakistan. However, few employees filed writ petitions in SHC and LHR which were also dismissed.

Matter was taken up by Special Committee on Affected Employees of National Assembly which was constituted in pursuance of orders of Supreme Court December 17, 2021, which had declared Sacked Employees (Reinstatement) Act, 2010 as void.

Committee unanimously declared all terminations vide office order No. 77/2014 March 17, 2014 as illegal and unlawful, with direction to restore all employees with effect from date of their termination along with all benefits and seniority.

EOBI took up matter with Ministry of OP&HRD and in this respect, Minister of OP&HRD vide letter took up matter with Chairman Special Committee for correction of minutes and informed Speaker National Assembly that it will not possible for Ministry of OP&HRD to implement instructions of Special Committee because of legal and court judgments.

Prime Minister took notice and constituted PM Committee under convener ship of Sardar Ayaz Sadiq ex- Minister to consider issues. Based on recommendations of committee matter was further referred for Law Minister’s opinion, though this committee was of considered opinion that all 358 terminated employees have availed option of review petitions which were dismissed and principle of Estoppels is applicable on them.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 04 2023

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