Pakistan, June 29 -- LAHORE - The Lahore High Court has ruled that a government employee cannot be dismissed from service for being absent from duty for less than one year without strong and valid reasons.

The court clarified that under Section 4 of the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act (PEEDA), dismissal, removal, or compulsory retirement only becomes mandatory if the employee's absence exceeds one year and is properly proven.

This decision came in response to a petition by Abusar Ghaffary, a computer operator in the Punjab Emergency Services Department, who was dismissed after being absent for 63 days. The court reinstated him but denied any back benefits.

Furthermore, the court noted that no valid or det...