ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed a petition filed by Dr Zeeshan Danish, Director General of Pakistan Baitul Mal, challenging the notification repatriating him from his deputation post to the Punjab government.
In a reserved judgment, Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas upheld the Establishment Division’s notification dated May 20, 2026, holding that the decision to return the officer to his supervisory department was made by the competent authority in accordance with the law and the conditions governing his deputation.
The court held that an officer serving on deputation does not have the legal right to complete the entire period of deputation, of course.
According to the judgment, Dr Danish had been appointed as DG Pakistan Baitul Mal on deputation and could not legally challenge the order directing his return to his home department.
The court observed that the petitioner had failed to establish misuse of power, malicious intent or violation of any constitutional or statutory provision while issuing the notice.
It further considered that the applicant could not claim to have been wronged simply by the fact that he had been repatriated to his department of origin.
Justice Minhas also noted that the appointment of the petitioner expressly remained subject to further orders of the competent authority.
The court observed that the condition for appointment of a permanent incumbent to the post was subsequently fulfilled as Shabana Rehman was promoted to the post of Permanent DG Pakistan Baitul Mal.
Following the appointment of a permanent head, the applicant’s repatriation to his supervisory department was both legal and in compliance with the applicable conditions of deputation, the judgment states.
The court, therefore, dismissed Dr Danish’s application to quash the May 20, 2026 notification and seek permission to continue in the position until the end of his deputation term.
Dr Danish had challenged the notice after he was ordered to return to his home department before the expiry of his deputation period.
