Federal Constitutional Court issues first ruling on KP govt’s appeal

ISLAMABAD: The newly formed Federal Constitutional Court on Monday delivered its first ruling on a case involving the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, issuing a stay order on an appeal concerning laborers’ dues.

During the hearing, Justice Hassan Rizvi questioned the practicality of the security deposit requirement for workers seeking justice. “Where will a poor laborer get so much money as a security deposit?” he remarked.

Additional Advocate General (AAG) Shah Faisal, representing the KP government, said that the case directly affects low-income laborers. He explained the legal framework, adding that when a private institution dismisses a laborer, it is required to pay pending dues. If the institution fails to meet this obligation, the worker may file an appeal with the relevant department.

The AAG noted that when a decision is made in favor of a laborer, the private institution must deposit the owed amount as security when filing an appeal. He added that the Peshawar High Court (PHC) had removed this security condition for private institutions, a move the KP government challenged before the Constitutional Court.

The KP government requested the Federal Constitutional Court to suspend the PHC’s ruling and grant a stay order. The court subsequently issued notices to all parties concerned and granted the requested stay.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Hassan Rizvi heard the case. Further proceedings will follow after responses from the notified parties are received.