Govt Faces Backlash for Using Outdated Advertisement for DG PSQCA Appointment

A cloud of controversy continues to surround the appointment process for the Director General (DG) of the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), as the Ministry of Science and Technology has once again scheduled interviews, this time for April 8, based on an advertisement that is now around a year old. Despite four failed attempts to finalize the appointment since the position was first advertised in early 2024, the ministry has called previously shortlisted candidates without re-advertising the post, prompting serious concerns over transparency, merit, and procedural fairness. In a formal letter addressed to the Prime Minister (the Competent Authority for MP-1 appointments), the Federal Minister for Science and Technology, and the Federal Secretary of the Ministry, a senior official has questioned the legitimacy of the current interview process. The official pointed out that the original advertisement, issued in March/April 2024, is no longer valid and fails to account for new eligible candidates who have emerged over the past year. “Many of the applicants who were eligible at the time may no longer qualify, while others who are now qualified have been denied the chance to apply,” the letter stated. “Without issuing a fresh advertisement, the process undermines the principles of fair competition and equal opportunity.” Adding further weight to the critique, the official, currently serving as Director General of a regional organization, declined to appear in the scheduled interview. He emphasized that while he was among the strongest candidates during the initial rounds, it would be inappropriate to participate in what he described as a flawed process. Sources within the ministry confirmed that the DG PSQCA position has remained vacant for over two years. Despite repeated advertisements and interview rounds, the process has repeatedly collapsed, primarily due to procedural violations, alleged political interference, and deviations from the MP Scales Policy. It has also been revealed that on four separate occasions, interview panels shortlisted candidates and forwarded summaries to the Cabinet Division, each time with different names. However, the summaries were rejected on legal and procedural grounds, as officials reportedly attempted to bypass merit in favor of preferred candidates. Observers say the situation is further complicated by an ongoing case in the Islamabad High Court, which has consistently urged the ministry to expedite the appointment of a qualified, technically sound professional by the law. Experts argue that with over 120 days having lapsed since the last advertisement, the recruitment process must now be restarted from scratch. “There’s no legal or moral justification to continue interviewing old candidates,” one official noted. “A fresh advertisement is mandatory under the rules to ensure transparency and fair competition.” Calls are also growing for an inquiry into the repeated failures of the ministry to finalize the appointment. Critics have demanded accountability for the delay and the alleged mismanagement that has left a key regulatory authority without a permanent head for over two years.