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 to repatriate him to the Punjab government by his deputy.
In a reserved judgment, Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas upheld the establishment department’s notification dated May 20, 2026, ruling that the decision to return the officer to his parent department had been issued by the competent authority in accordance with the law and the conditions of his deputation.
The court held that an official on deputation does not have a legal right to complete the entire period of deputation as a matter of course.
According to the verdict, Dr. Danish had been appointed DG Pakistan Baitul Mal on deputation and could not legally challenge the order to return to his parent department.
The court observed that the petitioner had failed to show abuse of authority, mala fide intention or violation of any constitutional or statutory provision in issuing the notification.
It further held that the petitioner could not claim to be an aggrieved party merely because he had been repatriated to his original department.
Justice Minhas also observed that the petitioner’s appointment had expressly remained subject to further orders of the competent authority.
The court noted that the condition regarding the appointment of a permanent man to the post was subsequently fulfilled, Shabana Rehman having been promoted as the permanent DG Pakistan Baitul Mal.
After the appointment of a permanent manager, the repatriation of the petitioner to his parent department was both legal and in accordance with the applicable terms of deputation, the judgment said.
The court therefore rejected Dr. Danish’s motion to have the May 20, 2026 notice overruled and requested permission to continue in the position pending the completion of his replacement.
Dr. Danish had challenged the report after he was ordered to return to his parent department before the end of his deputation term.
