Pakistani authorities promised an inquiry on Tuesday after the Sindh government was found to have employed almost 50 members of the same family in various health ministry jobs, many in the same hospital.

The sheer number of appointments ─ from vaccinators to security guards to lab technicians ─ has attracted the attention of the Supreme Court which will begin a hearing from Wednesday.

The matter surfaced when a man filed a petition complaining provincial health department had recruited some 48 cousins in Sindh's Ghotki district.

"Since 2008 till recently more than four dozen members of Chadhar family have been appointed by the authorities," complainant Farman Ali Pitafi, a health department employee, told AFP, adding they were all cousins.

He said many of the family members were appointed in subordinate grades but quickly promoted.

The provincial health minister Sikandar Ali Mandhro said he was unaware of the matter but would look into it.

Pakistan ranks 117th out of 168 on Transparency International's list of global corruption, where a higher number denotes greater graft.

Opinion

Editorial

All this talk
30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

IT is still early days, but there have been several small developments over the past week that, it is hoped, may add...
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...
Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...