ISLAMABAD: The University of Sindh, Jamshoro, on Tuesday confirmed that Shoaib Khoso, who had been appointed the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) director general, possessed a fake degree, following which he withdrew a petition challenging his recent dismissal.

This development has created uncertainty in the PSB, which is already being run through makeshift arrangements.

Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Justice Babar Sattar was hearing the two petitions - one filed by an unsuccessful candidate vying for the post of DG and another by Mr Khoso himself against his termination from service.

During the course of the hearing, advocate Naveed Malik informed the court that the University of Sindh had confirmed that Shoaib Khoso had submitted a fake degree at the time of his appointment.

He requested the court to issue direction to the government to appoint his client, Amjad Farooq Warriach, as the PSB director general. According to him, Mr Warriach was one of the 22 candidates who had applied for the post.

The counsel said an advertisement was published in newspapers, which invited applications for the post of director general. The pre-requisite for the post was 10 years of experience in the field of management and administration and five years experience in a supervisory capacity.

He said a selection committee was constituted which was chaired by former minister for inter-provincial coordination Ehsanur Rehman Mazari in his capacity as PSB president.

Mr Khoso was appointed as the PSB executive member in exercise of authority by the minister under Section 9 of the PSB Constitution in 2022 as he was his close friend, the counsel said.

It was due to the influence exercised by Mr Mazari that the credentials and experience of Shoaib Khoso were not verified and he was given marks for qualifications and experience which he did not deserve, he added.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) sent a summary for termination of contract of Mr Khoso.

The prime minister approved the summary and also assign the officiating charge to an additional secretary of the IPC ministry for a period of three months.

Shoaib Khoso had also challenged his removal and his petition was being heard by Justice Sattar.

However, following the confirmation of his fake degree, Mr Khoso withdrew the petition as the judge warned him of consequences for presenting a fake degree to get the lucrative job.

The court was told that the post of PSB director general was already taken over by the IPC ministry.

Interestingly, due to his core responsibilities in the ministry, the acting Pakistan Sports Board director general has given major responsibilities to an officer, Mohammad Shahid, who is working because of an interim order of the IHC.

The high court’s single member bench on Sept 30, 2020 had demoted him to the post of deputy director. On Dec 10, 2020, the division bench of the IHC issued a stay order till the next hearing enabling him to retain the present post. The bench however will resume hearing in this matter on May 6.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2024