SPSC officials told to clarify exam irregularities

Karachi
The Sindh High Court on Tuesday directed the Sindh Public Service Commission secretary and others to file comments over a petition that questions the competence of the commission’s chairman and members.
The petitioners, Imtiaz Ali Shah and Sultan Ahmed, have sought screening tests for the provincial civil services examination, submitting that the SPSC had screened 18,000 candidates for over 200 provincial civil service posts including assistant commissioners, excise and taxation, labour and section officers.
Providing details of alleged irregularities in the exams, they submitted that the commission had ‘illegally’ conducted screening tests for the written exams and that the passing mark initially set at 30 percent was later moved up to 50 percent.
Questioning the commission’s competence, the petitioners’ counsel, Shafqat Hussain Masoomi, claimed that answers to 11 of the exam’s questions were incorrect. Furthermore, they said there was no provision for screening tests in the rules of the commission.
The petitioners alleged that children from influential political families had been allowed to use unfair means during the test, which was held on December 28, 2014, and that a total of nine ‘grace marks’ were awarded to ‘favourites’ who had otherwise failed the exam.
They requested the court to declare the screening tests illegal and restrain the commission from holding this year’s written combined competitive examinations, which commenced on Tuesday.
The counsel submitted that an identical petition against the appointment of the SPSC chairman was also pending before the SHC which could be heard collectively.
The SHC bench observed that a rejoinder affidavit needed to be filed by the SPSC on the petitions as a number of averments have been made by the commission in its comments.
It further said that since the SPSC exams had commenced, the petitions may have an effect and directed the court office to tag all similar petitions for a hearing on April 16.
The court clarified that if one or more of the petitions succeeded, or if the court deemed appropriate, the SPSC shall be bound to arrange separate written examination for within a specified timeframe.