KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Monday expressed its surprise over the process of recruitment when it was informed that the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) had reportedly recommended 27 candidates for appointment as nursing staff in the absence of their credentials.

A two-judge bench headed by Justice Mohammad Shafi Siddiqui observed that in case such appointments were found to be made without credentials, including but not limited to the nursing certificates, appropriate orders would be passed as it would raise serious question regarding credibility of the entire process of appointment of the nursing staff.

The bench sought a reply within 10 days and said that the matter should not be delayed on the part of the respondents and assistant advocate general (AAG), Sindh.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by around 15 persons against the SPSC and provincial health authorities for not confirming them for the posts of staff nurses (BPS-16).

The lawyer for the petitioners filed an application in which he alleged that 27 candidates did not even possess the nursing certificates at the time of their appointment, but the SPSC without fulfilling any formalities recommended their cases in the absence of their credentials.

The bench directed that a copy of application be provided to the AAG and sought a reply to the query raised by the petitioners’ lawyer within 10 days.

The authorities informed the bench that the notification about appointment of nine candidates, whose registration was subsequent to the cut-off date, had been withdrawn.

The petitioners contended that they were qualified male nurses and after passing the written test conducted by SPSC, they were appointed on “service rendered basis” in March last year as staff nurse for a period of 89 days in view of the health emergency declared in the province due to Covid-19.

They further argued that after completion of 89 days their services were extended by the health department with assurance that their jobs would be confirmed. Thereafter, the SPSC issued letters for interviews, but rejected them on the ground that their initial registration was made after closing date.

The petitioners maintained that equal treatment was not meted out to them as several other candidates whose registration was also made after the closing date were appointed and many were recommended for appointment without their credentials having been collected.

Contempt notices to minister, others

Another SHC bench on Monday issued contempt notices to the provincial minister for irrigation, chief secretary and irrigation secretary for not filing a progress report regarding removal of encroachments from the lands of the irrigation department.

The larger bench also directed them to appear in person along with their replies and progress report on Feb 8.

On Jan 18, the court had ordered that the entire exercise of the removal of encroachments from the lands of the irrigation department be completed by June 30 and the minister and others were directed to submit a progress report on the next date of hearing.

On Monday, a three-judge bench headed by Justice Mohammad Iqbal Kalhoro took up the matter for hearing and inquired about the progress report.

The additional advocate general informed the bench that no progress report was provided to him for submission.

“In view hereof, it prima facie appears that the specific directions of this court have not been complied with. Therefore, we are constrained to direct the office to issue notices to Mr Sohail Anwar (minister for irrigation), Mr Mumtaz Ali Shah (chief secretary) and Mr Rafiq Ahmed Buriro (secretary irrigation) to show cause as to why proceedings for contempt of court may not be proceeded...”, the bench said in its order.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2021