MQM-P fails to get stay against tests for govt jobs

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has turned down a plea for urgent hearing of a petition filed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan against the recruitment test for 90,000 government jobs scheduled for today (Wednesday).

A two-judge SHC bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar, took up the plea on Tuesday. Senator Khalida Ateeb and MQM MPAs Ghulam Dastgir, Rana Ansar and Shahana Ashar appeared before the court.

Tariq Mansoor Advocate stated that it is a case of public interest, so it should be heard today (Tuesday). He urged the court to issue a stay order on the conduct of test for government jobs scheduled for Wednesday.

Justice Ghaffar remarked that no urgency shall be granted in pending cases.

Advocate Tariq further stated that the recruitment process in government departments has been challenged by the MQM on the premise that recruitment through the SIBA Testing Service is illegal. He further stated that citizens of Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur will be affected by these recruitments.

While speaking informally, MQM-P Senator Khalida Ateeb said that she is the petitioner in the case. She said that the case pertains to recruitments for 90,000 government jobs. The case was filed in June but has not been heard as yet.

"The MQM will take up the issue of bias in government appointments, at every forum, if needed," she added. "It is a question of the future of our coming generations."

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2023.