QUETTA, March 19: A division bench of the Balochistan High Court has directed the provincial education department not to recruit as a schoolteacher any male candidate who had passed his exams in third division.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice Amanullah Khan Yasinzai and Justice Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, exempted female candidates from the condition till December.

The order issued on a petition filed by Habibur Rehman was released on Wednesday.

The petitioner had challenged appointment of school teachers in Pishin district, accusing the department of favouritism.

The director of provincial education department submitted a report stating that the appointments had been made on the basis of merit and in accordance with rules.