ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday informed a subcommittee of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat that it would submit its report about alleged irregularities in exams conducted by testing companies within a fortnight.

The subcommittee at a meeting chaired by MNA Rana Iradat Sharif Khan discussed a matter sent by the house regarding allegations of irregularities in the exams conducted by the testing companies.

The parliamentary committee also voiced concerns over the recruitment process by the ministries and divisions.

The committee has already directed the FIA to submit a report regarding assistance of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and other departments to ensure transparency in testing services affairs.

During a briefing regarding the testing companies, the SECP informed the committee that there were 96 testing companies across the country and they were approached by ministries, divisions and departments to hold tests for recruitment of candidates for different posts.

NA body voices concern over recruitment process by ministries, divisions

MNA Mohsin Dawar said the issue of irregularities was taken up on the floor of parliament and should be addressed at the earliest.

Replying to a query from the convener, the FIA informed the committee that the report regarding irregularities in the testing companies would be submitted in a fortnight.

A representative of the Establishment Division told the committee that as per orders of the court, ministries were making recruitments by themselves.

“The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) is overburdened due to the Central Superior Services (CSS) exams. So the government has been developing a new procedure for conducting tests of candidates. Till that time ministries and divisions will conduct tests by themselves,” the representative said.

However, Rana Iradat said hiring of employees by ministries and divisions will create more controversies.

“We have a culture of recommending people for jobs so there can be violation of merit,” he said.

The convener also asked if the National Testing Service (NTS) was under the ambit of the government or a private company.

The representative of NTS said the company was 51pc under the government.

Rana Iradat said testing companies should be regulated and their results should be announced within 24 hours through their websites.

He also directed NTS to clear its position in the next meeting whether it was under the ambit of the government or in the private sector. The meeting will be held after 10 days.

Earlier, FPSC briefed the committee that it holds tests for jobs in Basic Pay Scale 16 and above. It said there were 11 seats of members and one chairman in FPSC but posts of two members were vacant.

The committee directed the FPSC to submit a report regarding appointments during last year.

Moreover, the committee showed annoyance over the absence of representatives of the Cabinet Division in the meeting.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2020