MIANWALI: The Excise and Taxation (E&T) department authorities have allegedly hired the services of a driver who failed to clear the written test, ignoring the one who shone in the driving skill.

A few months ago the E&T district officer advertised for the recruitment of a driver and the eligibility criterion was a driving licence, requisite skills and ability to read and write. Fifteen people applied for the post and the authorities formed a selection committee headed by Additional District Collector Ghulam Mustafa, with DO Mushtaq Ahmed Qureshi and Section Officer Mushtaq Ahmed (Lahore) as its members.

Being a technical post, the selection committee referred the candidates to appear before the Motor Vehicle Examiner (MVE) and the DSP traffic, Mianwali, for checking the driving skills besides verification of their licences. After the process both examiners submitted their report on Aug 31 to the selection committee which interviewed the candidates and advised them to wait for a final decision.

The DO issued an order vide No 3976/79/Est of Oct 8, 2016, of selection of Mohammad Nasir Khan who, it turned out, had failed the driving test. Ironically, the candidate who topped the driving test, Amir Nawaz, was ignored.

The results shocked many candidates who said they would move court.

DOC Ghulam Mustafa, who was the selection committee chairman, told this correspondent that the selected candidate was good at driving. When reminded about the technical reports of the DSP traffic and MVE, he dubbed these reports incorrect.

This correspondent also contacted SO Mushtaq Ahmed by telephone and he claimed that he was a member of the committee which conducted the interviews and final selection was the prerogative of the DO.

DO Mushtaq Ahmed Qureshi told Dawn that the selection committee had taken its decision on merit.

“If any candidate is not happy with the decision, he may approach court of law.”

Meanwhile, social circles have urged the chief minister to take note of the injustice and bring the officials concerned to book.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2016