Govt Rushes Summary to Appoint Director General PSQCA

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has swiftly submitted a summary of three candidates for the post of Director General (DG) of the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to the federal cabinet for approval. Secretary MoST, Sajid Baloch, informed the Senate Committee on Science and Technology that the long-delayed appointment is expected to be finalized soon, following directions from Federal Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, who urged the immediate appointment before his departure to the U.S. The summary was prepared the same day as the interviews, held on September 20, 2024, marking the fourth round over two years. This haste has raised concerns among candidates, with reports indicating that none of the three shortlisted individuals meet the required qualifications and experience for the highly technical MP-I scale role. Previously shortlisted and qualified candidates were left out in the recent process. Sources allege political interference, with insiders claiming efforts to appoint candidates with questionable backgrounds. Among the proposed names are Dr. H.U. Khan, Muhammad Farooq, and Zain ul Abidin, all of whom have faced scrutiny over their qualifications and past roles. Dr. H.U. Khan, in particular, has a controversial history, including nullified promotions and multiple dismissals. The appointment remains pending in the Islamabad High Court, while the ministry emphasizes that the final decision will be based on merit.