ISLAMABAD, Dec 01 Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said the government remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted adjudication at the Federal Service Tribunal (FST), despite vacancies arising from its non-extendable three-year tenure system.
Responding to a Calling Attention Notice in the National Assembly, the minister informed lawmakers that the Federal Service Tribunal (FST)—established under Article 212 of the Constitution and the Service Tribunals Act—comprises a Chairman and ten Members. The tribunal operates from its principal seat in Islamabad, with camp offices in Lahore and Karachi.
He noted that in November 2024, all ten seats of Federal Service Tribunal (FST) Members fell vacant upon completion of their tenure. The government, he added, promptly initiated the appointment process in line with Supreme Court guidelines on criteria and procedure. To date, six Members have been appointed in full compliance with the Court’s directives, while recruitment for the remaining four positions is currently underway.
Aqeel Malik informed the House that to prevent backlog and delay, the FST had continued functioning through both in-person benches and video-link hearings, ensuring uninterrupted disposal of cases.
From November 2024 to November 2025, at least 83 cases were taken up through video-link alone, he added.
Sharing statistics, he said the FST had a total caseload of 1,653 cases, of which 1,002 cases had been disposed of, while 538 cases remained pending adjudication.
“The tribunal is operational, hearings are being conducted regularly, and modern tools are being used to avoid delays,” the minister said.
He added that if the mover desired further details regarding specialised tribunals or vacant posts, the Ministry would provide complete documentation.
“We are fully compliant with judicial guidelines and committed to keeping service justice uninterrupted,” he concluded.
