Lahore: Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed the petition against conferment of civil awards on the government employees and public office holders. Justice Ahmad Nadim Arshid said salaried government employees cannot be declared disqualified for civil award constitutionally.The decision, which was authored by Justice Ahmad Nadeem Arshad on the petition filed by Ashba Kamran, said that a salaried government employee could be the recipient of a civil award based on his or her extraordinary services for people.'Only induction on the official post or government job does not make an employee entitled to receive the award,' the high court noted.LHC dismissed the petition against conferment of civil awards on government employees, public office holders and other persons in public service sector.Justice Ahmad Nadim Arshid released 11-page written decision on the petition maintaining public service has not been restricted to without compensation or voluntary services under article 259 (2) of the constitut ion.The court maintained the salaried government employees cannot be declared disqualified for civil award constitutionally. Holding government office or doing government job does not even make the person entitled to civil award. However government employees who perform duty outstandingly can not be struck off from ambit of award only on the basis of receiving salary.The court remarked public service is a separate department in connection with civil awards.Establishment division has been appointed a department for respective nomination for this department. Scrutiny committees, Award recommending committees and main award committee work under prescribed procedure in connection with civil awards.According to court only discharging routine government duty is not enough for public award but extending public services and services performed beyond prescribed obligations are seen too.The court also highlighted integrity, impartiality, honesty and reputation of character are included in the criteria o f public service award.It stressed that authorities must distinguish between satisfactory performance in a regular government job and exceptional service rendered for the public.The decision said that public service was included in article 259 (2) through 26th amendment.However article 259 (3) does not declare all former civil awards revoked on its own. All civil awards conferred before October 21, 2024 cannot be declared null and void merely on the basis of constitutional amendment.The court further observed that civil awards cannot be withdrawn or cancelled merely on an assumption or without a lawful basis. It said the President or relevant authorities cannot be directed to revoke or cancel an award unless there is a clear legal foundation for such action.LHC dismissed the petition at preliminary stage.