Qazi SARDAR BAHADAR vs SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HEALTH, ISLAMABAD AND OTHERS

The petitioner, an Upper Division Clerk, challenged the termination of his services after overstaying his ex-Pakistan leave. Having gone abroad in June 1978, the petitioner sought multiple extensions, eventually requesting a five-year extension in March 1980. However, his services had already been terminated effective December 1979. Upon receiving notice of termination in April 1980, the petitioner did not seek reinstatement until November 1982. His subsequent departmental appeal was rejected as time-barred, a decision upheld by the Federal Service Tribunal on May 22, 1983. The Supreme Court of Pakistan reviewed the matter, considering the significant delay in challenging the termination. The Court held that there were no sufficient grounds to interfere with the Tribunal's decision, as the departmental appeal was hopelessly time-barred. Consequently, the petition for leave to appeal was refused, reinforcing the principle that administrative remedies must be pursued within the prescribed statutory limitation periods and that unexplained, substantial delays in challenging termination orders preclude judicial intervention.