Who may be appointed as a Hearing Officer under Section 16 PERA Act 2024?

Under Section 16 of the PERA Act 2024, the law specifically provides that a PAS (Pakistan Administrative Service) or PMS (Provincial Management Service) officer of BS-17 or above may be appointed as a Hearing Officer. This provision ensures that the appointed officer is a qualified, trained, and experienced government servant who has the administrative expertise required for impartial decision-making.

The choice of a PAS/PMS officer is deliberate. These officers are part of the mainstream administrative cadre, well-versed in government procedures, law, and enforcement mechanisms. Their background enables them to conduct hearings fairly, handle complex enforcement issues, and prepare references for the higher authority in accordance with the law.

On the other hand, individuals like retired judges, private lawyers, or Deputy Commissioners are not directly eligible under Section 16. While they may have legal or administrative experience, the Act specifically reserves this role for serving officers of BS-17 or above to maintain consistency, accountability, and alignment with the civil service system.

By defining eligibility clearly, the Act prevents arbitrary appointments and ensures that Hearing Officers have both administrative competence and legal responsibility. This strengthens the credibility of enforcement actions under the PERA Act 2024.