CMA No. 24B(19)2025-P
18-February-2025
National Industrial Relations Commission Islamabad Bench Office At, Peshawar
NIRC Peshawar Suspends Government Notification on Union Restrictions:
In a significant legal development, the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC), Peshawar Bench, has suspended the operation of SRO (1)/2025, a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior on 07.02.2025. The notification, issued under Section 3 of the Pakistan Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1952, aimed to restrict union activities in power sector entities.
The petition was filed by APWHEW Union under Section 60 of the Industrial Relations Act (IRA) 2012, challenging the validity of the notification. After hearing preliminary arguments, the Honorable Mr. Muhammad Zubair Khan, Member of the NIRC, admitted the petition for regular hearing and issued notices to the respondents for 10.03.2025.
Additionally, the petitioner’s application for interim relief seeking the suspension of the notification was also considered. As a result, the NIRC temporarily suspended the notification until the next hearing date. For full details, please find the official order below:
NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION ISLAMABAD
BENCH OFFICE AT, PESHAWAR
BEFORE: MR. MUHAMMAD ZUBAIR KHAN, LEARNED MEMBER
4B(20)2025-p
CMA No. 24B(19)2025-P
ORDER APWHEWUNION VS FPO etc
18.02.2025
Petitioner with counsel present. submitted petition under section 60 of IRA 2012, challenging the notification No. SRO (1)/2025 dated 07.02.2025 issued by the Ministry of Interior, through which by exercising powers under section (3) of the Pakistan essessitional services (maintenance) Act, 1952 restrict are union activities under the power sector entities. Heard on premenllary points, points raised needs consideration admit for regular hearing, notice be issue to respondents for 10.03.2025.
C.M.A No. 248(14)2024-P
Petitioner also annexed application for interim relief by way of suspension of impugned notification mention above, notice of the application be given to the respondents, in the mean time operation of the notification is suspended till date.
Member National Industrial Relations
Commission, Peshawar
NIRC’s Ruling a Key Development in Labor Rights Case:
This suspension of the government’s notification marks an important step in the ongoing legal battle over workers’ union rights in Pakistan’s power sector. The case’s outcome will have far-reaching implications for labor rights and essential services regulations in the country.
The next hearing is scheduled for 10th March 2025, where further arguments will be presented before the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC), Peshawar Bench. Until then, the Ministry of Interior’s notification restricting union activities remains suspended.
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