47 candidates declared unsuitable
Suitability’ rule likely to bar 47 candidates from depts of choice
* Candidates say they will challenge the measure in court
By Abdul Manan
LAHORE: Forty-seven of the 190 candidates who passed the 2007 Central Superior Services (CSS) exams are likely to be sent to departments other than the ones they had chosen, because of the “suitability” rule, officials told Daily Times.
Sections 7-A and 10 of the Federal Public Service Commission (FPCS) Ordinance of 1977 authorise the FPSC chairman to send a candidate to any department irrespective of his or her preferences, after assessing his or her suitability.
A senior FPCS official said the number of candidates being subjected to the rule this year was very high, compared with the usual six or seven candidates in normal years. He asked not to be named because he was not authorised to talk to the media. He said candidates were usually given a lower score if they were not suitable for the departments they had chosen.
FPCS Assistant Director Amin Tahir said the provision was part of law and the commission had a right to use it. He declined to say how many candidates would be subjected to it. Sources in the FPCS said the candidates who might be affected by the provision include the following:
Falak Sher (Punjab, merit number 57) is likely to be declared unsuitable for the Police Services of Pakistan (PSP) and the District Management Group (DMG) and might be sent to Customs. Mahmodur Rehman Khattak (NWFP, merit number 37) is likely to be declared unsuitable for the DMG and sent to Customs. Syed Nabeel Haider (Sindh, merit number 78) is likely to be sent to the DMG instead of the PSP. Abdul Shakoor (Sindh, merit number 114) is likely to be sent to Customs instead of the PSP. Fuad Ghaffar Soomro (Sindh, merit number 116) is likely to be declared unsuitable for the PSP and suitable for the DMG. Shoaib Anwar (Balochistan, merit number 119) is likely to be sent to Customs instead of the PSP. Shaukat Ali (Balochistan, merit number 143) is likely to be sent to Customs instead of the DMG. Ajmal Khan (FATA, merit number 147) is likely to be declared unsuitable for the PSP and sent to Pakistan Audit and Accounts (PAAS). Dr Junaid (Balchoistan, merit number 154) is likely to be declared unsuitable for seven departments and sent to Pakistan Railways. Jahanzaib Abbasi (Sindh rural, merit number 155) is likely to be sent to Customs instead of the DMG. Syed Mashkoor Ali (Sindh, merit number 179) is likely to be declared suitable for the Income Tax department and unsuitable for Customs.
Court: Several candidates that Daily Times talked to said they would challenge the measure in court. However, none of the candidates have received an acceptance letter so far.