The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended the ongoing recruitment process of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF).
This will restrain the agency from implementing its latest recruitment advertisement until the case is decided.
The next hearing is set for August 22, 2026.
The interim order was granted by Justice Muhammad Azam Khan who had considered a petition filed by ANF Constable Muhammad Shafiq Khan who had petitioned that direct recruitment should not be done without considering eligible serving employees for promotion through the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC).
The petitioner who asserts that he has been working there for over 10 years without any promotion argues that the direct hiring may have a negative impact on present employees.
But sources close to the ANF saw this differently and pointed out that the petition is premature and is not true.
They stated that there had been three DPC meetings since 2024 and there was a scheduled meeting before the current recruitment process that would enable all eligible employees to be considered for promotion.
The sources said that the positions listed are in addition to the promotions in the departments and will not affect the direct recruitment program as per the existing rules.
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They believe that no changes to the seniority or promotion rights of regular employees will be affected by the recruitment campaign.
Azaad Digital also reported that the petitioner has a history of submitting fake medical documents and that he also received favourable postings through influence.
ANF officials are preparing to ask for an early hearing and ask the court to remove the stay order, saying that the interim order was issued before the agency could make a detailed response.
The nature of the order of the court is temporary, and does not represent a final judgment.
Also read: Islamabad High Court halts ANF recruitment process