BHC addresses bribery claims in teacher hiring

The Balochistan High Court (BHC) has issued a directive to candidates who undertook testing tests for Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University (SBKWU), urging them to provide written statements if they’ve encountered instances of bribery related to teacher appointments.

A division bench, comprising Justice Kamran Malakhail and Justice Iqbal Ahmed Kasi, issued this order in response to a constitutional petition challenging the recruitment process at SBK Women’s University.

Amidst approving a petition for further review, the bench noted that the constitutional petition against the Secretary of Secondary Education Balochistan had garnered public attention. It had come to light that posts across government departments, particularly within the education sector, were being illicitly filled, sparking rumors of jobs being available for purchase.

During the hearing, multiple plaintiffs presented similar applications, raising concerns about the prevalence of this issue. The court underscored the opacity and lack of impartiality in the public sector’s decision-making process within various departments.

Recently, individuals have come forward with affidavits, affirming that illicit payments were demanded in exchange for job appointments. In response, the court instructed the Director of General Public Relations to issue notices in national and local newspapers, informing the public that any candidate who himself or his relative witnesses the demand or payment of such illegal money shall be prosecuted by the court.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2023.