ISLAMABAD (National times)- The Supreme Court has announced a landmark verdict in a case related to the promotion of government employees. While deciding on delays in promotions, the apex court ruled that an eligible officer is entitled to promotion from the date of the first Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meeting. The court set aside the decision of the Punjab Service Tribunal and declared the promotion of government employee Fakhar Majeed effective from January 21, 2012. According to the verdict, the Punjab Service Tribunal had earlier dismissed Fakhar Majeed’s appeal, holding that a government employee is not entitled to promotion from the date a vacancy arises. Rejecting this stance, the Supreme Court ruled that an eligible government employee has the right to promotion from the date the first DPC meeting is held. The seven-page written judgment was authored by Justice Ayesha Malik. The case was heard by a three-member bench comprising Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Muhammad Hashim Kakar, and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim. The court noted that Fakhar Majeed had pleaded for the restoration of his promotion from the date of the first DPC meeting. The Supreme Court observed that promotion is a fundamental right of government employees and that the consequences of administrative negligence or delay must not be imposed on employees. It ruled that eligible officers must be included in DPC meetings in a timely manner and that employees cannot be penalised for administrative failures. The apex court further directed government institutions to ensure timely completion of promotion processes, reiterating that delays or negligence will not affect an employee’s legal rights.