LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday dismissed a petition challenging the appointment of Director General Immigration and Passports Mustafa Jamal Kazi, ruling that the appointment was made in accordance with legal provisions.

Justice Khalid Ishaq had reserved the verdict a day earlier, which was announced on Friday.

Advocate Asif Ali Khitchi, who appeared in person, had filed the petition questioning the legality of Kazi’s appointment. The petitioner argued that the respondent was serving as a BS-20 officer in the Sindh government when the federal government transferred him to the National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C) in Islamabad on deputation.

He further contended that the federal caretaker government’s decision on August 18, 2023, to appoint Kazi as DG Immigration and Passports was unlawful and contrary to service rules. The petitioner sought annulment of the appointment and any subsequent extension granted to Kazi.

Counsel for the respondent, Advocate Safdar Shaheen Pirzada, argued that the petitioner lacked a valid cause of action and had not approached the court with clean hands. He maintained that Kazi’s deputation and subsequent appointment were made strictly in accordance with the law.

A federal law officer, representing the Ministry of Interior, submitted that the appointment was made under the recently amended Civil Servants Act, which authorizes the Prime Minister to appoint officers to such positions.

After hearing all sides, the court dismissed the petition, upholding the legality of the appointment.