Service Law in Pakistan – Best Service Matter Lawyers Protecting the Career, Dignity & Rights of Civil and Government Servants
Service Law in Pakistan governs the vested rights, obligations, and entitlements of civil servants and government employees, regulating every stage of a public officer’s professional life, from appointment and induction to promotion, seniority, tenure protection, accountability, retirement, and pension.
At Hamza & Hamza Law Associates, we are recognized as leading Service Matter Lawyers and Advocates in Pakistan, with extensive experience representing civil servants, police officers, PAS, PSP, IRS officers, and government employees before Service Tribunals, High Courts, and the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Our practice is built on one core belief: Every career officer deserves service with dignity, fairness, and strong legal protection.
COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE MATTER REPRESENTATION
Service matters are uniquely sensitive. A single adverse PER/ACR entry, supersession, or unlawful posting can permanently derail an officer’s career trajectory. As experienced service matter lawyers, we provide strategic litigation and advisory services across the complete spectrum of service law, safeguarding both career progression and financial security.
We routinely handle service matters involving the Establishment Division, FPSC, Cabinet Division, AGPR, S&GAD, provincial and federal departments, autonomous bodies, and Federal and Provincial Service Tribunals.
APPOINTMENTS, POSTINGS & PROMOTIONS
Appointments, postings, and promotions form the core of service litigation. These disputes often involve:
• Induction & appointment challenges
• Competitive examinations (FPSC / Provincial PSC)
• Promotion boards & Departmental Selection Committees
• Seniority lists and cadre placement
• Selection criteria & merit formulas
• Adverse ACR / PER entries
• Supersession and loss of career trajectory
We aggressively challenge arbitrary promotions, unlawful supersession, and discriminatory selection processes, ensuring that merit, seniority, and statutory rules are respected.
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS & INQUIRY LAW
Disciplinary actions carry severe consequences, including suspension, penalties, reversion, dismissal, and stigma. We provide robust defense in matters arising under:
• PEEDA Act & Rules
• Efficiency & Discipline Rules, 1973
• Departmental inquiries
• Show cause notices
• Suspension & stoppage of increments
• Major and minor penalties
• Reversion and dismissal
• Representation before inquiry officers
Our approach focuses on procedural fairness, due process, proportionality of punishment, and jurisdictional defects, often resulting in quashment of proceedings or reduction of penalties.
SERVICE RIGHTS & TENURE PROTECTION
Security of tenure is a cornerstone of public service, particularly for officers in PAS, PSP, IRS, Police and allied cadres. We litigate matters involving:
• Tenure protection violations
• Unlawful transfers and postings
• Premature repatriation
• Deputation and absorption disputes
• Contractual vs regular appointments
• Abuse of transfer powers
Courts consistently intervene where transfers are mala fide, politically motivated, or contrary to statutory protections, and we ensure that such safeguards are effectively enforced.
PAY, PENSION & RETIREMENT BENEFITS
Financial entitlements are often denied or miscalculated, leading to avoidable hardship. We represent officers in matters relating to:
• Pension fixation
• Commutation of pension
• Family pension
• Gratuity & GP Fund
• Service counting for pension
• Seniority benefits for contractual service
• Medical and allied allowances
We ensure accurate pension computation and timely release of benefits, including litigation against unlawful withholding or incorrect fixation.
QUOTA & RESERVATION DISPUTES
Quota litigation generates high-volume and high-impact service disputes, affecting both entry and promotion. We handle cases involving:
• Provincial quotas
• Women quotas
• Minority quotas
• Disability quotas
• Departmental quotas
• Merit formula challenges
• Seat allocation disputes
These matters require precise constitutional and statutory interpretation, especially where quotas conflict with merit or service rules.
FEDERAL–PROVINCIAL JURISDICTION & CADRE CONTROL
Post-18th Amendment, service matters frequently raise complex jurisdictional questions, including:
• Powers of the Establishment Division
• Cadre vs ex-cadre appointments
• Inter-provincial deputation
• Inter-service transfers
• Federal vs provincial control
We advise and litigate on cadre management and constitutional competence, ensuring lawful exercise of authority.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & ADVERSE REMARKS
Adverse PER/ACR entries are often misused to block promotions. We assist in:
• PER / ACR challenges
• Expungement of adverse remarks
• Review and appeal before competent forums
• Litigation against misuse of evaluations
Courts recognize that performance evaluations must be objective, reasoned, and fair, and we enforce these standards rigorously.
COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS & RECRUITMENT LITIGATION
Recruitment disputes impact thousands of candidates and often involve:
• FPSC & Provincial PSC recruitment
• Examination result challenges
• Eligibility criteria disputes
• Qualification equivalence
• Age relaxation issues
• Cancellation of exams or interviews
We provide swift legal remedies to prevent irreparable loss of career opportunity.
Administrative Fairness & Constitutional Safeguards
Service law is anchored in constitutional guarantees, including:
- Right to be heard
- Protection against arbitrariness
- Legitimate expectation
- Equality before law
- Proportionality in penalties
Judicial review remains the ultimate safeguard against ultra vires actions, discriminatory treatment, and abuse of authority.
WHY HAMZA & HAMZA LAW ASSOCIATES
We protect promotions. We secure tenure. We defend pensions. We challenge unlawful inquiries. We correct seniority and postings.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What are service matters in Pakistan?
Service matters include disputes relating to appointments, promotions, seniority, disciplinary proceedings, transfers, pensions, and tenure protection of civil and government servants.
Who are service matter lawyers?
Service matter lawyers are advocates who specialize in representing civil and government servants before Service Tribunals, High Courts, and the Supreme Court.
Can supersession in promotion be challenged?
Yes. Supersession can be challenged if it violates service rules, seniority principles, merit, or due process.
Are adverse ACR/PER entries challengeable?
Yes. Adverse remarks can be challenged for mala fide intent, lack of objectivity, or procedural violations.
Can pension fixation errors be corrected? Yes. Pension and retirement benefit disputes are legally challengeable through representation and litigation.