QUETTA: The Unemployed Pharmacists’ Action Committee, Balochistan, has rejected the government’s decision to announce only a limited number of vacancies for more than 2,000 unemployed pharmacists, terming it “equivalent to offering a pinch of cumin to a camel”.

Addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Wednesday, UPAC General Secretary Qasim Aziz Mengal said the decision was unacceptable and demanded the creation of more posts along with transparent, merit-based recruitment.

He alleged that the appointment of pharmacists to BPS-17 posts through walk-in interviews was a non-transparent move, aimed at inducting favoured and recommended individuals. He claimed that merit did not exist in the health department and that the recruitment process lacked transparency.

He raised concerns over the absence and non-appointment of pharmacy departments in private hospitals. He also criticised the recent notification issued by the health department advertising doctors’ and pharmacists’ posts on a contract basis.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2026