' RASHID AZIZ KHAN, J.---The petitioner is working as Deputy Director Intelligence Bureau. He was on an official tour in an official jeep when he met with an accident. It was considered misconduct on his part and a show-cause notice was accordingly issued to him. Ultimately, vide order dated 5-7- 1997, he was directed to pay a sum of Rs,1,53,000 as repair charges of the vehicle and his promotions was also withheld for three years. Being aggrieved, he assailed the order before the Federal Service' Tribunal, but his appeal was dismissed on the sole ground that the same was by time.
2. We have heard the learned Advocate-on-Record for the petitioner and the learned Deputy Attorney-General, and gone through the file.
3. It seems that the final order was passed on 5-7-1997 and communicated to the petitioner on 30- 9-1999. He preferred appeal before the Tribunal on 28-10-1999, which was within 30 days. In the circumstances, we are convinced that the appeal before the Tribunal was within time. Since the -- appeal was not decided on merits, we convert this petition into an appeal and allow the same with direction to the Tribunal to decide it on merits. revisions by the competent authorities. Therefore, it is advisable to consult the official sources or legal professionals for the most up-to-date and accurate information.