Islamabad, Sep 26: The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has expedited the process of selecting a new Director General (DG) for the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), submitting a summary of three candidates to the federal cabinet for approval.
Secretary MoST, Sajid Baloch, informed the Senate Committee on Science and Technology that the long-awaited appointment is expected soon, following Federal Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui’s directive for its swift resolution before his departure to the U.S.
The candidates—Dr. H.U. Khan, Muhammad Farooq, and Zain ul Abidin—were shortlisted on September 20, 2024, after a fourth round of interviews spanning two years.
However, concerns have arisen regarding the qualifications of these candidates, with allegations that none of them meet the technical requirements for the MP-I scale role. Reports also suggest that previous, more qualified candidates were excluded from this round.
Political interference has been suggested as a potential factor in the selection process, with questions surrounding the backgrounds of the shortlisted candidates. Notably, Dr. H.U. Khan has faced scrutiny for past dismissals and nullified promotions.
The Islamabad High Court is currently overseeing the matter, while the ministry insists that the appointment will ultimately be merit-based.
