ZAHOOR AHMED SAMTIO vs PROVINCE OF SINDH art — 2025 PLC(CS) 1277 KARACHI-HIGH-COURT-SINDH

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ZAHOOR AHMED SAMTIO VS PROVINCE OF SINDH art. 199---Police service---Post of Constable---Selection process---Exclusion in interview---Opinion of Selection/Interviewing Committee---Substitution by High Court---Scope---Factual controversy---Judicial review---Scope---Obtaining superior marks in the written test as a ground for conferment of vested right to selection---Legality---Grievance of the petitioner was that despite clearing the written and physical assessments, he was declared unsuccessful in the interview on account of political favouritism and nepotism by selecting such candidates, who even had not participated in the recruitment process---Validity---Petitioner had alleged favoritism and nepotism; however, these allegations remained unsubstantiated, which rested solely on conjecture and oral averments, unsupported by documentary evidence---High Court could not place reliance upon such vague allegations to unravel or undo an otherwise lawful recruitment process---If such unverified claims were permitted to prevail, it would open floodgates for indiscriminate litigation and cast aspersions upon the sanctity of institutional recruitment---assessment/re-evaluation lies within the exclusive domain of the Interview or Recruitment Committee to assess and evaluate candidates during the interview process and to allocate scores according to their own judgment and assessment---High Court, while exercising jurisdiction under the constitutional writ, cannot substitute its own opinion for that of the Recruitment Committee---authority and wisdom vested in the Committee cannot be interfered with or questioned, unless there is manifest malice or gross illegality on the face of the record warranting judicial intervention---Judicial scrutiny does not extend to re-evaluation of interview scores or assessment unless it is demonstrably arbitrary or discriminatory---Petitioner admitted that he could not qualify in the interview and his allegations required factual inquiry, which was beyond the scope of constitutional jurisdiction of High Court---In absence of any compelling evidence pointing to mala fide or gross illegality, High Court cannot grant the relief sought---Constitutional petition was dismissed, in circumstances. Citation Name: 2025 PLC(CS) 1277 KARACHI-HIGH-COURT-SINDHBookmark this Case ZAHOOR AHMED SAMTIO VS PROVINCE OF SINDH art. 199---Police service---Recruitment process---Discretion of Selection Committee---Scope---Evaluation of eligibility criteria and interview scores/assessment---Judicial review---Formulation of alternative criteria by High Court---Validity---Selection Committee is best placed to assess the capabilities, academic background, aptitude, demeanor and suitability of candidates---Judicial review of such assessments is not warranted unless it is demonstrated that the process was marred by arbitrariness or mala fide intent---Parameters and criteria for recruitment and appointment are to be set by the competent authority---High Court cannot mandate or formulate alternative criteria---It is incumbent upon the official respondents to adhere to rules and ensure fairness, but the threshold for judicial interference remains high and limited to egregious breaches.

ZAHOOR AHMED SAMTIO vs PROVINCE OF SINDH art — 2025 PLC(CS) 1277 KARACHI-HIGH-COURT-SINDH

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