IRSHAD HASAN KHAN, J.-- Ch. Mubashar Ahmad, DSP, Special Branch Lahore, petitioner herein, has a grievance that his Annual Confidential Report recorded by the Superintendent, Special Branch/Additional Inspector General, Special Branch, Lahore for the year 1990 has not so far been countersigned by respondent No. 2.
2. The Inspector General's Standing Order provides that Annual Confidential Reports should be initiated within the time prescribed therein. The purpose is obvious, that is to say, that subsequent events may not adversely affect the formation of opinion by the reporting officer in respect of preceding conduct and work of the concerned employee. Furthermore, the cases for promotion and appointments cannot be equitably adjudged by the Departmental Selection Board in the absence of up-to-date Annual Confidential Reports. Refer Government of the Punjab and another vs. Ehsanul Haq Sethi (PLD 1986 SC 684).
3. The petitioner has not reflected any aspersion on the conduct of the Inspector-General of Police, Punjab, Lahore. His grievance, however, is that delay in recording his Annual Confidential Report by Ch. Manzoor Ahmad, former Inspector-General of Police, respondent No.2 herein will adversely affect the determination of his case for promotion by the appropriate Selection Committee, which is scheduled to hold Its meeting some time this month. The grievance appears to be quite genuine.
4. Learned Additional Advocate-General shall bring this order to the notice of the respondents forthwith, who shall ensure that the disputed Annual Confidential Report is placed before the appropriate Selection Board when the case of the petitioner is considered for promotion alongwith others. Needless to observe that piece meal consideration of cases of the concerned employees for promotion by the Departmental Selection Committee concerned leads to undue frustration amongst the Government servants. It also encourages litigation and chokes the courts/tribunal with business. Earnest efforts should therefore, be made by all concerned to avoid the factors which lead to such litigation, in the public interest and also to avoid burden on the public exchequer in defending such petty disputes at state expenses but otherwise have a direct bearing on the future prospects of an employee. It is expected that in future the time schedule laid down by the Government through various instructions/standing orders issued from time to time for recording of Annual Confidential Reports shall be strictly adhered to.
With the above observation, the writ petition is disposed of. A copy of this order be transmitted to respondents as well as to the Chief Secretary, Punjab.