SC suspends SHC orders on SPSC interviews

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday suspended two Sindh High Court orders permitting interviews of unsuccessful candidates in the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC).

A three-member bench headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan heard an appeal against the high court’s decision. During the hearing, Hafiz Ehsan Khokhar, counsel for the SPSC, argued that 22,877 candidates had appeared for the commission’s examinations in 2021. However, the high court had directed that 11 unsuccessful candidates be interviewed based on various petitions.

He contended that increasing marks for failed candidates is not permissible under the law. He said that the decision could set a precedent where every unsuccessful candidate might demand an interview, effectively misusing judicial authority.

The counsel also informed the court that the results of 186 candidates passing the interviews have been withheld due to the high court’s order. Meanwhile, the counsel requested a forensic review of the appellants’ examination papers. The court subsequently adjourned the hearing indefinitely, setting it for a “date in office.”