The Federal Constitutional Court has delivered a significant ruling focused on improving transparency and safeguarding the rights of government employees across the country. It directed all government departments and autonomous bodies to regularly publish updated seniority lists on their official websites every year so that the information remains publicly accessible.

The court held that seniority records are part of the constitutional and legal rights of employees and citizens, and cannot be withheld by any department or authority. It emphasized that openness in administrative matters is necessary for fairness, accountability, and good governance.

In its decision, the court clarified that employees appointed in the same recruitment batch must have their seniority determined on the basis of merit position rather than date of joining. It noted that using “first come, first served” as a criterion in such cases does not meet the standards of fair and merit-based administration.

The court also struck down the seniority list issued by the Port Qasim Authority, overturned the earlier judgment of the Sindh High Court, and accepted the appeal of Captain Muhammad Ali Khan. It further instructed all federal and autonomous bodies to update seniority lists each January and immediately after any hiring, promotion, or regularization process, while directing provincial chief secretaries to ensure strict compliance with the ruling.