04 October 2004	Monday	18 Shaban 1425

KARACHI, Oct 3: Sindh Minister for Education and Literacy Dr Hamida Khuhro has dispelled the impression created by press reports that the called off recruitment of 752 lecturers was made through the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC).

Before leaving for London on Sunday, she maintained that these contract-based appointments had been carried out entirely by education department, and not by the SPSC. There was no record of any correspondence by the SPSC with candidates.

The minister said that the whole procedure, i.e issuance of advertisements, inviting and scrutinizing of applications, etc., had been conducted by the education department at its own level and the related record was with the department.

Ms Khuhro clarified that SPSC members were invited only to assist the committee, constituted by the department, during candidates' interviews. There was no other role for the SPSC members to play in the process of appointments.

The offer letters were also issued by the education department and, as such, the question of selection by the SPSC in this regard does not arise, according to her. The department has approached law department for legal advice in the matter.

Hamida Khuhro has proceeded to London on a week-long visit during which she would hold meetings with international donor agencies for their assistance in bringing about improvement in Sindh's educational institutions' standard, especially those concerning girls' literacy and making education job-oriented. - PPI