Balochistan High Court orders reversal of teacher transfers to Quetta
Quetta, The Balochistan High Court has directed the Education Department to immediately withdraw transfer orders that moved teachers and non-teaching staff from their original union council and district postings to Quetta, restoring them to their original places of appointment.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Malakhail and Justice Muhammad Najamuddin Mengal issued the ruling while hearing a constitutional petition against the Directorate of Schools. The petitioner, Khair Muhammad Shaheen, argued that appointments from BPS-01 to BPS-15 are made on a union council basis, while BPS-16 and above are appointed on divisional grounds. However, many employees managed to secure transfers to Quetta, leaving sanctioned posts vacant in their original areas and depriving local students of teachers and facilities.
The court observed that this practice undermines the purpose of localized appointments and adversely affects the rights of communities in remote districts. Declaring the matter one of public importance, the bench stressed the need for fair distribution of staff and availability of teachers where posts were originally sanctioned.
Earlier, the court had directed the Education Department to submit a comprehensive report on the number of schools, active and inactive institutions, teacher availability, sanctioned posts, and vacancies, along with reasons such as retirement, resignation, deputation, transfers, and other factors. On September 17, 2026, the Additional Advocate General and Education Secretary informed the court that measures were being taken but more time was needed. A subsequent report presented on October 1 confirmed a ban on transfers to Quetta, except under extraordinary circumstances.
In its latest order, the court instructed authorities to revoke all transfer orders moving staff to Quetta or other districts, except in cases where individual judicial orders exist. Employees must rejoin their original postings and submit joining reports, while the Education Department must ensure strict compliance with the court’s directives. A detailed compliance report, including joining records, is to be submitted before the next hearing.
The case has been adjourned until November 3, 2026.