The Supreme Court has dismissed the federal government’s appeal against a Federal Service Tribunal decision, declaring it time-barred and rejecting the government’s plea to condone the delay.
In a strongly worded written judgement, Justice Ayesha Malik said the state cannot expect special treatment and must follow the law just like any ordinary citizen.
The case relates to a 2025 decision of the Federal Service Tribunal that ruled in favor of Faridullah and other employees.
The federal government challenged the ruling but filed its appeal with a delay. Instead of adhering to the prescribed time limit, the government submitted the appeal 20 days late.
The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal as time-barred, refusing to forgive the delay.
Govt not above the law, says court
In the written judgement, Justice Ayesha made it clear that the government is not a “unique questioner” and must obey the law like a common citizen.
“The government will also get the same protocol as a common man in court,” the ruling stated.
The court emphasized that the state, which enforces the law on citizens, cannot make excuses when it comes to its own legal obligations.
According to the court’s decision, the government argued that the delay occurred because files remained in the office due to the transfer of an officer. However, the Supreme Court ruled that office rules or administrative difficulties cannot override statutory time limits.
The judgement noted that a shortage of government officers or the lack of committee meetings is the government’s own fault and cannot justify procedural lapses.
Bureaucratic laxity can't harm others
The court further observed that the other party cannot be punished for the laxity of the bureaucracy. “The state cannot put the burden of its incompetence on the court,” Justice Malik wrote.
The ruling stressed that implementation of the law should not depend on the convenience of officers but must be bound by discipline and adherence to legal timelines.
The delay in filing the appeal against the Service Tribunal’s 2025 decision ultimately proved costly for the federal government. By dismissing the appeal as time-barred, the Supreme Court reinforced the principle that no one, including the state, is above the law.
