Senate panel for hiring people from backward areas

Seeks recommendations for solution of issues faced by less developed areas

ISLAMABAD:

The Senate Standing Committee on Finance has called for preparation of effective recommendations for sustainable solutions of issues in less developed areas.

The committee held a meeting on Thursday to discuss the issues hampering the appointment of people of Chaghai district in the Model Customs Collectorate and the problems faced by dry fruit importers and exporters.

Chairing the meeting, Standing Committee Chairman Muhammad Talha Mahmood announced that the committee would implement the recommendations to minimise the sense of deprivation among people in remote areas of the country, said a press release.

The chief collector Customs and collector enforcement Quetta informed the committee that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had advertised 126 posts for the Customs Enforcement Quetta.

Overall, 7,500 applications were received. The police declared 2,500 candidates fit after physical test but the appointment process had not been completed yet. The FBR also formed a committee.

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A total of 81 candidates from the Chaghai district applied, 52 candidates appeared in the test and 40 were successful. However, 29 applicants did not participate in the process. Five out of seven applicants were called for interview, but two failed the physical test, the committee was informed.

“A separate strategy should be adopted for the candidates belonging to the backward areas,” Mahmood said, adding that candidates from such areas could not compete with those from the developed regions, as they did not have access to basic facilities.

On the occasion, a dry fruit trader, Haji Fojan, said that they imported dry fruits from Iran but Customs officials were creating unnecessary hurdles in the way of trade.

“I have been doing this business for the past 45 years,” he said, adding that during the past eight months, the Customs officials had been creating problems.

“DG Customs Intelligence checked our two vehicles and raised the issue of value. The Balochistan High Court also ruled in our favour but they have parked our 25 vehicles,” he said.

FBR Chairman assured the committee that he would look into the matter to resolve it.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2021.

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