Syed GHULAM RAZA vs FEDERATION OF PAKISTAN

This matter concerns a review petition filed against a judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan dated 29-2-1984, which had previously disposed of the petitioner's petition for leave to appeal. The petitioner, a civil servant, contended that he was exempt from the requirement of having his employment case referred to the Public Service Commission, arguing that his appointment predated the relevant regulatory framework, specifically relying on definitions within the Ordinance XIV of 1981. The core legal question was whether the petitioner's arguments regarding his service status and the applicability of the Ordinance warranted a review of the previous judgment. The Court held that the petitioner's arguments had already been thoroughly considered and addressed in the original judgment. Consequently, the Court dismissed the petition, establishing the principle that a review petition cannot be utilized as a mechanism for a de novo rehearing of a case on grounds that have already been adjudicated upon. The scope of review jurisdiction is strictly limited and does not extend to re-arguing the entire merits of a previously decided matter.