SHC suspends govt recruitment orders

MQM-P, in an appeal, had pointed out irregularities in hiring process

KARACHI:

In a major decision on Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Pakistan's petition against irregularities in recruitment, the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday suspended government notifications for recruitment on more than 21,000 posts across the province and ordered Sukkur IBA Testing Services to immediately suspend the recruitment process.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi heard the petition of MQM Pakistan.

MQM's deputy convener Kunwar Naveed Jamil appeared in the court along with his counsel Tariq Mansoor Advocate.

Counsel for the petitioners, argued that 21,310 posts were being filled in 38 departments.

"There are irregularities in the recruitment process. The purpose of the irregularities is to deprive the youth of Karachi of jobs. Notifications were issued on January 3, 2020 and February 6, 2020.

The Sindh Cabinet awarded contract to Sukkur IBA Testing Services for testing against the rules. Under the new procedure, recruitment will be carried out through Sukkur IBA instead of IBA Karachi, therefore, the recruitment process from Sukkur IBA should be stopped," the petitioner's counsel argued.

The court issued notices to the Sindh chief secretary, Sindh advocate general, IBA Sukkur, Sukkur IBA Testing Services, Security & Exchange Commission of Pakistan and IBA Karachi, seeking their replies.

The petitioners include MNA Kishwar Zehra, MPAs Syed Hashim Raza, Ghulam Jilani, Javed Hanif Khan and Wasimuddin Qureshi.

Notices issued

The Sindh High Court has issued notices to the VC, Governing Body and Selection Board of Dawood Engineering University on the plea of not holding senate syndicate elections in the varsity.

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A two-member bench headed by Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi heard the plea of professors, assistant professors and teachers against not holding senate syndicate elections at Dawood Engineering University.

Counsel for the petitioners contended that for the last nine years the university administration had not conducted the elections.

"The electoral college is also being disturbed due to non-holding of elections. Teachers have not been represented at any forum in nine years. Rules of business do not exist," the petitioner's counsel contended.

The court issued notices to the VC, governing body and selection board of Dawood Engineering University seeking reply from the administration by the second week of January.

Appeal of convicts admitted

The Sindh High Court has admitted the appeals of convicts in the murder case of Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) Director Parveen Rehman.

A two-judge bench headed by Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro heard the appeals of Imran Swati and Rahim Swati against the decision of the special anti-terrorism court in the murder case of Orangi Pilot Project Director Parveen Rehman.

The appellants' counsel contended that the court had sentenced four suspects Ayaz Swati, Amjad Khan, Ahmed Khan and Imran Swati to six months imprisonment for concealing facts. Accused Imran Swati has been sentenced to only seven years which he has completed.

Justice Kalhoro remarked that if this is the case then the jail authorities can complete the procedure themselves. The court admitted the appeals of the suspects against the sentence for hearing.

The court has already issued permanent arrest warrants for two fugitives, Shoul Dad and Musa.

The ATC had sentenced Rahim Swati, Ayaz Swati, Amjad Hussain and Ahmed alias Pappu Kashmiri to life imprisonment.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2022.