SC Rules Time-Scale Promotion Not Legal Right for Employees

Supreme Court Rules on Time-Scale Promotion

The Supreme Court has ruled that time-scale promotion is a policy-based benefit and not a legal right or regular promotion for departmental employees. The court overturned a January 23, 2025 decision by the Federal Service Tribunal in favor of Syed Sardar Ahmed Pirzada.

Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb ruled that the tribunal had incorrectly assumed the policy was applicable to the employee without first determining its legality. The court noted that merely serving for a long period does not automatically entitle an employee to time-scale promotion.

The ruling also stated that time-scale promotion is not equivalent to regular promotion and does not change designation or position. Unless an employee’s entitlement under the relevant policy is clearly established, no direction can be issued regarding such a claim. The Federal Service Tribunal’s decision was thus set aside.