In a major setback for contract teachers, the Islamabad High Court has dismissed petitions seeking teachers regularisation in federal government colleges. The court ruled that teaching staff and computer teachers working in Islamabad Capital Territory colleges cannot be made permanent through a cabinet sub-committee shortcut, and that the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) route of test and interview remains the lawful path.
The decision affects hundreds of daily-wage and contract educators who had hoped their years of service would be converted into permanent jobs. Here is what the judgment says, why the court took this view and what affected teachers can do next.
What the IHC Said About Teachers Regularisation
Justice Shahrukh Arjumand issued a detailed 32-page written judgment. The court upheld the scrutiny, test and interview process carried out under letters of the FPSC, the Establishment Division and the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE). In simple words, the court agreed that teachers who want permanent posts must clear the same merit process as any other candidate.
The federal government was represented by Assistant Attorney General Usman Ghuman, who defended the FPSC process and argued that regular appointments cannot be granted without open competition.
Why the Cabinet Sub-Committee Recommendation Failed
Many petitioners relied on recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Regularisation. The court, however, held that this committee had no legal authority to recommend appointments in BPS-16 and above. Posts at that level fall under the FPSC, which is a constitutional body for federal recruitment. Any regularisation that skips the commission would go against merit and the rules.
This point is important for all contract teachers in Islamabad. Lecturers, computer teachers and other BPS-16+ staff cannot expect automatic regularisation on the basis of length of service alone.
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Who Is Affected by the Federal College Teachers Decision?
- Contract and daily-wage lecturers in Islamabad Model Colleges and other FDE colleges
- Computer teachers hired on project or contract basis
- Teaching staff who had filed or were planning to file similar regularisation petitions
- Future recruits, because the ruling confirms FPSC as the only gateway for BPS-16+ posts
The judgment does not say how many teachers are covered, but the FDE runs a large network of colleges in the capital where contract staff have been teaching for years.
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What Contract Teachers Can Do Now
The ruling closes the regularisation door for now, but it does not end careers. Affected federal college teachers have a few practical options:
- Apply for FPSC lecturer and teacher posts as soon as they are advertised, as service experience still helps in interviews.
- Consult a lawyer about filing an intra-court appeal within the legal time limit if they believe their case is different.
- Keep service certificates, salary slips and appointment letters safe, because they may be needed for age relaxation or experience claims.
- Follow FDE notices for new contract renewals or recruitment drives.
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Bigger Picture: Merit vs Service in Teacher Hiring
Pakistan has seen repeated battles between merit-based recruitment and regularisation of long-serving contract staff. Provinces such as Punjab and Sindh have in the past regularised educators through special laws, while courts have often insisted on transparent tests. This IHC decision strengthens the merit principle at the federal level and sends a clear message to departments that temporary hiring should not be used as a backdoor to permanent jobs.
For students, the hope is that teachers selected through FPSC will bring better quality. For contract teachers, the challenge is to convert their classroom experience into success in competitive exams.
Background of the Teachers Regularisation Dispute
The demand for teachers regularisation in Islamabad is not new. Over the past decade the FDE hired many teachers on contract or daily wages to fill gaps in its schools and colleges. Several of these educators have taught for years with renewals every few months and no job security. They argued that their long service and good performance should be enough for permanent status. The government, on the other hand, maintained that BPS-16 and above posts must be filled through FPSC to keep the system fair for all candidates across the country.
The full judgment can be followed on the Islamabad High Court website.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Did the IHC allow teachers regularisation in federal colleges?
No. The court dismissed the petitions and upheld the FPSC test and interview process.
Why was the cabinet committee recommendation rejected?
The court held that the Cabinet Sub-Committee had no legal authority to recommend appointments in BPS-16 and above.
Can affected teachers still get permanent jobs?
Yes, by competing through FPSC when posts are advertised, or through legal remedies such as an appeal.