Pakistan Abolishes Automatic Government Jobs for Families of Deceased Civil Servants

Supreme Court ruling deems the policy unconstitutional; families will still receive other benefits under the PM’s Assistance Package.

The Pakistan government has formally abolished the hereditary job quota for the family members of deceased civil servants, aligning with a Supreme Court ruling that deemed the practice unconstitutional and discriminatory, The Express Tribune reported.

The Establishment Division has issued a directive instructing all ministries and divisions to comply with the ruling, ensuring that government jobs are no longer automatically granted to widows, spouses, or children of deceased or medically retired employees. The new policy is effective immediately from the October 18, 2024 Supreme Court decision.

Supreme Court’s Verdict: Jobs Cannot Be “Hereditary”

The Supreme Court overturned the previous policy, which allowed the appointment of family members without open competition, citing violations of constitutional principles of fairness and equal opportunity.

“These jobs neither are nor can be made hereditary,” stated the 11-page judgment, authored by Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan. The ruling declared that public sector employment must be based on merit, not familial ties, and emphasized that state functionaries cannot distribute government jobs as personal entitlements.

The court also warned that any policy contradicting constitutional values could be subjected to judicial review. It ruled the practice as being “discriminatory and ultra vires to Articles 3, 4, 5(2), 18, 25(1), and 27 of the Constitution.”

Impact of the Ruling

• Existing appointments under the policy will not be affected.
• Families of deceased employees will still be eligible for benefits under the Prime Minister’s Assistance Package.
• Exemptions apply to law enforcement personnel who die in terrorist attacks.
• Federal and provincial authorities have been directed to withdraw laws granting automatic employment to the families of civil servants.

The verdict marks a significant step toward merit-based employment in Pakistan, reinforcing the constitutional commitment to equal opportunities for all citizens.