ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Thursday raised serious concerns over the employment of an MA graduate as a sweeper within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s education department. Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi described the situation as indicative of a systemic failure and instructed the provincial government to provide the individual with a more appropriate role.
A three-member bench led by Justice Rizvi reviewed an appeal challenging a Peshawar High Court (PHC) decision regarding the appointment of a postgraduate degree holder to a sweeper position. During the proceedings, Justice Rizvi questioned, “Is it acceptable for an MA graduate to be assigned sweeping duties?” He further emphasized that terminating the employee after a decade of service would be unjust and mandated the provincial authorities to offer a suitable alternative job.
When the additional advocate general informed the bench that no sweeper vacancies currently existed in the province, Justice Rizvi responded sharply, “Has Khyber Pakhtunkhwa become so spotless that sweepers are no longer required?” He also noted hearing similar claims from another province, underscoring the issue’s broader relevance.
The district education officer explained that the employee’s responsibilities involved cleaning and sweeping tasks. Justice Rizvi retorted, “Did no one feel any shame seeing an MA graduate performing such work?”
He highlighted that assigning a postgraduate to a sweeper role was a grave concern reflecting systemic shortcomings. With a tone of irony, he remarked that the system deserved commendation for relegating an MA graduate to such duties.
Ultimately, the Federal Constitutional Court dismissed the appeal, thereby upholding the Peshawar High Court’s ruling. The court’s directive to the provincial government to provide a suitable job for the MA graduate underscores the need for systemic reform in employment practices.
