The Lahore High Court dismissed the petition against giving civil awards to government employees and public office holders.

The Court held that the Constitution did not limit public service to unpaid or voluntary service, and therefore, civil servants could not be disqualified for civil awards.

According to the court, merely holding a government post does not entitle a person to a civil award, however, public service is a separate field in Pakistan’s civil awards and for this, the Establishment Division has been appointed as the nominating body.

The judgment said that Scrutiny Committees, Award Recommending Committees and Central Award Committees work under the prescribed procedure, while evaluating public service, services rendered beyond the prescribed official duties are taken into account.

The court held that fairness, honesty, impartiality and integrity of character are also included in the criteria for civil awards while drawing a clear distinction between ordinary job performance and extraordinary public service.

According to the judgment, exceptional public service of a person cannot be excluded from a civil award merely on the basis of salary.

The court declared that without a legal basis, the President or the relevant authorities cannot be instructed to withdraw or cancel any civil award.

The Lahore High Court in its remarks said that through the 26th constitutional amendment, public service has also been included in Clause 2 of Article 259 of the Constitution.