Notices issued over SPSC irregularities,chairman’s appointment

Karachi
The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday issued notices to the provincial advocate general and Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) on a petition against SPSC’s chairman, its members and irregularities in the annual civil services examination.
Petitioners, Imtiaz Ali Shah and Sultan Ahmed, submitted that SPSC conducted screening tests of 18,000 candidates for the examination for over 200 posts of assistant commissioners, excise and taxation, labour and section officers in violation of the commission’s rules.
They maintained the pass percentage was declared to be 30 but was later moved up to 50 percent, adding that nine questions were incorrect.
Those belonging to influential families were allowed to pass the examination by unfair means whereas grace marks were awarded to the ‘favourites’ who had failed.
Petitioners’ counsel Shafqat Hussain Masoomi requested the court to declare the screening tests illegal and restrain the commission from holding written combined competitive examination for 2015; scheduled to be held on April 7.
Another petition against the appointment of the SPSC chairman pending before the SHC and should be heard along with the concerned petition, the counsel maintained.
The court issued notices to respondents for April 7 and directed law officer to file the particulars of the chairman and its members before the court.