The Ministry of Science and Technology has initiated an inquiry into allegations of irregular appointments made at the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) during the tenure of former Federal Minister Agha Hassan Baloch.

Acting promptly, the Secretary of Science and Technology has requested a comprehensive report on the matter within two weeks. The inquiry follows a decision by the Federal Ombudsman, which highlighted concerns over appointments that allegedly violated merit and procedural guidelines.

Deputy Scientific Advisor Shakeel Arshad has been appointed as the inquiry officer to lead the investigation. The Ministry has finalized the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the inquiry, directing the officer to identify individuals responsible for the alleged violations. The inquiry officer has been tasked with preparing a charge sheet against those found involved and submitting detailed recommendations to the Secretary of Science and Technology within the stipulated time frame.

The inquiry stems from a September 18 decision by the Federal Ombudsman in response to a complaint filed by a citizen, Irfanullah. The complaint raised objections to the appointments made at PSQCA’s Quetta office, where positions from Grade 1 to Grade 4 were allegedly filled without adherence to merit-based hiring practices. The Ombudsman had instructed the Ministry to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

Notably, during these appointments, the provincial quota for other regions was reportedly curtailed and reallocated to Balochistan. This deviation from standard quota practices further added to the controversy. Irfanullah’s complaint to the Federal Ombudsman emphasized these irregularities, prompting a formal directive to address the issue.