IHC dismisses plea against return of Baitul Mal DG to Punjab

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has upheld the repatriation of Pakistan Baitul Mal Director General Dr Zeeshan Danish to the Punjab government, ruling that an officer on deputation has no vested right to serve out the full tenure.

In a reserved judgment issued on Monday, Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas dismissed Dr Danish’s petition against the Establishment Division’s May 20, 2026 notification ordering his return to his parent department. The court held that the notification had been issued by the competent authority in line with the law and the terms of his deputation.

Dr Danish had asked the court to set aside the notification and allow him to continue as director general until the completion of his deputation period. He challenged the order after being directed to return to his parent department before that period expired.

Justice Minhas ruled that Dr Danish, having been appointed to the post on deputation, could not legally contest the decision sending him back to his original department. The judgment said the petitioner had failed to show any misuse of authority, mala fide intent, or violation of any constitutional or statutory provision in the issuance of the notification.

The court also held that repatriation alone did not make the petitioner an aggrieved party in law. It noted that his appointment had expressly remained subject to further orders of the competent authority.

A further factor cited in the judgment was the appointment of a permanent incumbent to the post. The court noted that Shabana Rehman had since been promoted as the permanent director general of Pakistan Baitul Mal, fulfilling the condition linked to Dr Danish’s deputation-based appointment.

On that basis, the court found that his return to the Punjab government was lawful and consistent with the applicable terms governing deputation, and dismissed the petition.