KARACHI, Feb 21: The central board of directors of the State Bank of Pakistan in its meeting held in Islamabad on Monday appreciated the management's efforts to facilitate induction of youths from relatively under-represented regions and provinces, like the AJK, Balochistan, Fata and rural Sindh, in the State Bank.

According to a statement, the SBP Governor, Dr Ishrat Husain, informed the board that the recruitment in the bank on regular posts had been made in accordance with the rule of merit and provincial and regional quotas.

However, due to under-representation of incumbents from certain regions and provinces, it was decided to induct a special batch of SBOTS (State Bank's Officers Training Scheme) for youths from the AJK, Balochistan, Fata and rural Sindh.

He informed the board that selection and recruitment of this special batch of SBOTS had been finalized and 44 candidates short-listed for selection as Officers Grade-II in the State Bank.

He also informed the board that in order to encourage the youths from the under-represented areas, the SBP had been for a couple of years, providing special internship programmes for students of various educational institutions and universities from Balochistan and rural Sindh.

The SBP offers attachments and fellowships for economic and business management faculty members of universities. The governor emphasized the need for the faculty members of educational institutions from rural Sindh and Balochistan to avail themselves of these opportunities to improve the quality of education. -APP