Govt Proposes Unqualified Panel for DG PSQCA Appointment

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has once again come under scrutiny for proposing a panel of candidates for the appointment of Director General (DG) of the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), in apparent violation of the advertised eligibility criteria. The move has raised concerns, as the top two recommended candidates reportedly do not meet the specialized technical requirements for the high-profile role. According to official sources, one of the candidate has been allegedly recommended as the top candidate, despite having experience largely unrelated to PSQCA’s core functions. Her background includes five years as Chairperson of the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA), more than two years with the Punjab Higher Education Department, and a decade at the Higher Education Commission (HEC). However, the position of DG PSQCA specifically requires expertise in standardization, conformity assessment, product testing, labeling, quality assurance, and other regulatory areas, particularly those related to import and export operations. The second candidate on the panel also lacks relevant experience, having spent over 15 years at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, primarily working on academic quality, plagiarism control, and thesis evaluation—areas not directly aligned with PSQCA’s technical mandate. In contrast, the third candidate, has relevant experience within PSQCA and is regarded by insiders as the only nominee among the three with direct and appropriate expertise in the authority’s operations. The selection process was overseen by Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi, along with Secretary MoST Sajid Baloch and other members of the selection board. This marks the third time the ministry has attempted to appoint controversial or underqualified candidates to the DG PSQCA position—attempts that have previously been rejected by the Establishment Division and the federal cabinet. Just last month, the cabinet rejected a summary submitted for the DG’s appointment due to similar concerns about non-compliance with the advertised requirements. Sources within the ministry attribute the prolonged delay in finalizing the appointment to persistent efforts to appoint candidates lacking the required qualifications and relevant experience. Secretary Sajid Baloch recently told the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology that the latest summary has been submitted for approval and is currently under consideration. Reports suggest that the previous summary was prepared hastily—on the same day the interviews were conducted (September 20, 2024)—raising questions about transparency and procedural integrity. This is now the fourth round of interviews for the post in recent years, yet no final decision has been reached. Qualified candidates have repeatedly voiced concern that those shortlisted do not fulfill the MP-I Scale criteria necessary to head an organization as technical and sensitive as PSQCA. Allegations of political interference have also emerged, with several candidates claiming that merit has been compromised in favor of favoritism. These issues have led to legal challenges, protracted delays, and the assignment of temporary “look-after” charges rather than a permanent appointment. The matter is currently under adjudication in the Islamabad High Court, where concerns regarding transparency, legality, and adherence to merit have been raised. Official documents confirm that the Selection Committee—formed under the Management Position Scales Policy 2020—is chaired by the Federal Minister for Science and Technology and includes senior officials from MoST, the Establishment Division, and the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR). More than 30 candidates were interviewed during the latest round held at the ministry’s headquarters in Islamabad. Given PSQCA’s critical role in establishing and enforcing national standards for product quality and consumer safety, the DG position is of significant national importance. The appointee will play a key role in shaping industrial competitiveness, ensuring public safety, and meeting international trade requirements.