Chairman of Balochistan Public Service Commission sacked

Published November 13, 2014
Governor Balochistan Mr Muhammad Khan Achakzai. - APP/file
Governor Balochistan Mr Muhammad Khan Achakzai. - APP/file

QUETTA: Governor Balochistan Mr Muhammad Khan Achakzai on Thursday terminated the appointment of Chairman of the Balochistan Public Service Commission (BPSC) Ashraf Magsi over charges of irregularities and corruption.

According to well-placed sources in the Governor's House, a formal letter with regards to the termination of the chairman was also issued. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had initiated inquiry against Magsi for recruiting the officers in violation of merit two years ago.

Two of Magsi's daughters, who were working in grade 17 of the education department, were also terminated after their degrees were found to be fake by the NAB.

The then-NAB Deputy Director Operations Ziaullah Toro had also arrested some officers of the BPSC. He had caught them red-handed for violating merit and issuing orders for their blue-eyed.

Balochistan High Court judge Mr. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan conducted an inquiry of Chairman BPSC and found him guilty.

In view of recommendations from the inquiry conducted by the BHC judge, Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai terminated Magsi.

Magsi was accused of recruiting officers above grade 17 in violation of merit and taking bribery from candidates.

Political parties staged protest demonstrations and urged the Balochistan government and the governor in particular to remove the controversial chairman.

"All appointments made by the terminated chairman must be probed by an independent commission," Najeeb Khan, who had repeatedly appeared in tests and interviews of the commission, told Dawn.

He stated that merit was repeatedly violated by the terminated chairman and that an inquiry has to be conducted in order to ensure rights of the aggrieved candidates.

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