The President of Pakistan has accepted the representation filed by Muhammad Arshad Khan Jadoon, Chairman of the Press Council of Pakistan (PCP), against the order of the Wafaqi Mohtasib issued on May 29, 2025. Setting aside the earlier decision, the President directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and other relevant departments to immediately release Jadoon’s salary, arrears, and markup. He also ordered reimbursement of all medical and utility bills incurred during the period of non-payment.
In his detailed ruling, the President’s legal counsel stated that the withholding of Jadoon’s salary was “void ab initio” and amounted to gross maladministration. The decision emphasized that no law allows the government to stop a public official’s salary without due process or disciplinary proceedings.
During the hearing on June 12, 2025, Jadoon and his counsel, Advocate Ziaullah Khan, argued that stopping the Chairman’s salary was unconstitutional. They cited violations of Articles 4, 24, and 25 of the Constitution, which ensure equality, protection of property, and due process. They also noted that previous PCP Chairmen had received salaries equal to that of a Supreme Court Judge, and denying the same to Jadoon was discriminatory.
Dr. Sohail Aftab, Director (Legal) at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, acknowledged that Jadoon was entitled to the pay and benefits of a Supreme Court Judge under the PCP Ordinance 2002 and PCP Rules 2013. Similarly, Khalid Zia, Section Officer (Legal) of the Finance Division, confirmed that these rules remain valid and cannot be repealed without Cabinet approval.
The President further observed that Jadoon had given up his private legal practice upon assuming office, and denying him salary afterward violated principles of fairness and good faith. He noted that Jadoon personally paid for his open-heart surgery and related medical costs, which should have been covered by the government.
Concluding the decision, the President directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Finance Division to release all pending payments immediately and initiate disciplinary action against officials responsible for the unlawful stoppage of salary.
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