PHC dismisses writ petitions filed for reinstatement of teachers, who were dismissed after being recruited on fake certificates & upheld govt’s decision

PESHAWAR, March 19 (Eman Ashraf): The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has dismissed the writ petitions filed for the reinstatement of teachers, who were dismissed after being recruited on fake certificates and upheld the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s decision.

The verdict reinforces the legal stance against academic fraud and highlights the importance of maintaining integrity in public sector employment.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Sabitullah, heard the case. The petitioners’ lawyers argued that their clients were unlawfully removed from service, terming the dismissal as unjust. However, the Additional Advocate General (AAG) Taimur Haider, along with Advocate Asad Jan Durrani, presented the government’s stance, emphasizing that the petitioners had concealed the facts that their recruitment was based on forged documents.

During the investigation, the authorities verified the educational certificates with the concerned universities, which confirmed that the degrees were fake. Based on these findings, the government dismissed the individuals involved. The PHC, after reviewing the arguments, dismissed the writ petitions, thereby validating the government’s decision.

The verdict aligns with constitutional and legal provisions related to public sector employment and fraud prevention. According to Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan, all citizens are equal before the law, and those who engage in fraudulent activities cannot be given undue advantage. Similarly, Article 18, which deals with the right to lawful profession and trade, implies that employment should be based on merit and transparency.

Furthermore, the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) Section 420 addresses cheating and dishonesty, making it a punishable offense. The submission of fake educational certificates falls under this provision, justifying legal action against the accused. The Civil Servants Act, 1973, also mandates that government employees must meet the required qualifications, and any deception in this regard leads to immediate dismissal.

This judgment sets a crucial precedent in ensuring accountability in the education sector and discouraging fraudulent practices. The decision also upholds the merit-based recruitment system and safeguards the rights of genuinely qualified individuals who seek employment in the public sector.

By dismissing the writ petitions, the Peshawar High Court has reinforced the principle that individuals involved in document forgery cannot be allowed to hold public office, as it compromises the credibility of institutions and affects service delivery.