President Orders Govt to Pay Press Council Chairman’s Salaries, Medical, Utility Bills

The President of Pakistan has accepted the representation filed by Muhammad Arshad Khan Jadoon, Chairman of the Press Council of Pakistan (PCP), against the order of the Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman) dated May 29, 2025. The President set aside the earlier decision and directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and other concerned government departments to immediately release Jadoon’s salary, arrears, and applicable markup, along with reimbursement of all medical and utility bills incurred during the period of non-payment. In his detailed decision, the President’s legal counsel held that the stoppage of Jadoon’s salary was void ab initio and constituted a case of gross maladministration, as no law authorizes the government to stop a salary without due process or disciplinary proceedings. During the hearing held on June 12, 2025, Jadoon and his counsel, Advocate Ziaullah Khan, argued that the action of withholding the Chairman’s salary was unconstitutional and violative of Articles 4, 24, and 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which guarantee the right to equality, protection of property, and due process of law. They further contended that previous Chairmen of the Press Council were paid salaries equal to that of a Judge of the Supreme Court, and denying the same to the incumbent amounted to discrimination. The Director (Legal) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Dr. Sohail Aftab, conceded that Jadoon was indeed entitled to the pay and privileges of a Supreme Court Judge under the Press Council of Pakistan Ordinance, 2002, and the Press Council of Pakistan Rules, 2013. The Section Officer (Legal) of the Finance Division, Khalid Zia, also admitted that these rules were still in force and could not be repealed without the approval of the Federal Cabinet. The President observed that the government’s action was not only unjustified but also violated the principle of locus poenitentiae, as Jadoon had relinquished his private legal practice upon assuming public office. Depriving him of his salary after such commitment amounted to a breach of faith and fairness. The President further noted that Jadoon bore all expenses of his open-heart surgery and subsequent medical treatment from his own resources, which, under the rules, should have been covered by the government. Concluding the decision, the President directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Finance Division to release the withheld salary and arrears immediately, pay the markup due to the delay, and reimburse all utility and medical bills incurred during the period in question. He also ordered that disciplinary action be initiated under the Efficiency and Discipline Rules against those responsible for the unlawful stoppage of salary to prevent such acts of maladministration in the future.